Lazio 0-3 Inter Milan: Champions Make Big Statement Before the Final | OneFootball

Four days before they meet in the Coppa Italia final, Inter Milan put three unanswered goals past Lazio in the Serie A contest held at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio & Inter Milan Starting Lineups

Maurizio Sarri rotated his lineup by dropping Nuno Tavares, Gustav Isaksen, and Kenneth Taylor, while Mattia Zaccagni has been ruled out after hurting himself in training. Tijjani Noslin led the line flanked by Matteo Cancellieri and Pedro, while Nicolo Rovella combined with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Toma Basic in midfield. Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, and Luca Pellegrini formed the backline.

Cristian Chivu also made some changes to Inter’s 3-5-2 lineup, but he still opted to unleash his star attacking duo, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. In midfield, Petar Sucic operated as a Regista between Nicolo Rovella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Andy Diouf and Carlos Agusto started as wing-backs. Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni constituted the three-man defence.

Lautaro Martinez Breaks the Deadlock Early On

Inter were the more determined side from the outset, and it only took them six minutes to open the scoring. Bisseck played a long throw-in to the box, and Thuram was able to beat Rovella and Pellegrini in the air to set up Martinez, who escaped Marusic and Gila to score on the half volley.

The Nerazzurri almost added a rapid second, as Thuram freed Diouf on the right flank. Motta was able to deny the wing-back, while Thuram couldn’t hit the target on the rebound.

Petar Sucic Stuns Lazio with Pearler

At the end of a disappointing first half, Lazio were hoping to head into the interval with a limited deficit before trying to pick up the pieces in the second period. However, they ended up conceding a stellar second goal in the 39th minute.

Inter produced quality football down the left flank. Lautaro then turned before storming into the box. The Argentine attracted a host of Lazio players, including Dele-Bashiru, who left Sucic unmarked. The Inter captain then cut it back to the Croatian midfielder, who fired a scorcher from the outside of the box. Motta couldn’t get anywhere near it.

Alessio Romagnoli Sees Red

After the break, Inter picked up from where they left off, as Bisseck found himself in front of goal with all the time and space in the world. However, the German’s attempt was denied by Motta, who was also brave when collecting the second ball.

Afterwards, Romagnoli caught Yoan Bonny with a high-studs challenge that initially earned him a yellow card. Nevertheless, the match official was summoned by the VAR for an on-field review, which resulted in an upgrade to a red card.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Rounds Off Inter’s Victory with a Third Goal

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Lazio enjoyed their best stretch of the game afterwards. Gustav Isaksen, who came off the bench, had three attempts, including one that was cleared off the line by Augusto, and another one denied by Josep Martinez. Noslin also had a glorious chance, but it was blocked by the backline.

And yet, it was Inter who added to their lead, partially thanks to Dele-Bashiru, who played a poor back pass while under pressure. Bonny kept his composure inside the box before finding Mkhitaryan, who skipped past Marusic and sent a powerful shot that grazed Motta’s face on its way towards the roof of the net.

While this wasn’t the result the Aquile were hoping for before the cup final, Wednesday’s showdown will be a whole different ball game, especially with key players returning to the starting lineup. Therefore, this is certainly not the time for the Laziali to despair.

Lazio 0-3 Inter Milan

Scorers: 6` Lautaro Martinez (I), 39`Sucic (I), 76` Mkhitaryan (I).

Lazio XI (4-3-3): Motta; Marusic (76` Lazzari), Gila (55` Provstgaard), Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Basic, Rovella (55` Patric), Dele-Bashiru; Cancellieri (55`Isaksen), Noslin, Pedro (62`Dia).

Inter XI (3-5-2): Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni (63′ Luis Henrique); Diouf, Susic (79′ Mosconi), Barella (46′ Frattesi), Mkhitaryan, Carlo Augusto; Thuram (46′ Bonny), Lautaro Martinez (63′ Dumfries).

Referee: Rosario Abisso (Palermo section); Linesmen: Fontani-Biffi; Fourth Official: Sacchi JL; VAR: Meraviglia; VAR: Massa. 

Yellow cards: 48` Pellegrini (L), 74` Noslin (L).

Red card: 59` Romagnoli (L).