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Lazio provisionally lead the standings with seven points from
three games, while Inter are a point behind in fourth.
"We've been sending some good signals lately, as we go through
periods of being under pressure without actually risking much at
the back," Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri told DAZN.
"This team has gained in solidity and organisation, so we are
capable of beating anyone on the day, but our problem has always
been consistency."
Lazio flew out of the traps against Inter in an attempt to gain
an early advantage, after they failed to score for the first
time in 10 league games when they were held to a goalless draw
by Torino last time out.
Clearly fired up, they sent the visitors an early alert when
striker Ciro Immobile received a beautiful pass inside the box
and tried to beat Inter keeper Samir Handanovic with a
first-time shot which went just wide of the right post.
Lazio's captain, who scored the most goals (27) during the
2021-22 Serie A season, had another chance in the 37th minute --
this time on target -- but his strike was cleared by Handanovic.
It took the hosts three more minutes for Anderson to finally put
them in front with a header just before halftime, after the
Brazilian was perfectly set up in the box with a cross by Sergej
Milinkovic-Savic.
HUNGRY LAZIO
Maurizio Sarri's men came back wanting more in the second half
and Immobile almost immediately took another shot at goal, but
his attempt at the near post was again saved by Handanovic.
Inter, who lacked a clear chance in the opening period,
equalised from a free kick in the 51st as defender Denzel
Dumfries nodded the ball to the unmarked Lautaro Martinez who
netted from close range.
A minute later, Inter went close to taking the lead when
Dumfries got his head to Federico Dimarco's high cross and sent
the ball bouncing off the ground just in front of Lazio keeper
Ivan Provedel, who managed to tip it over the bar.
However, Lazio substitute Luis Alberto restored the lead for the
hosts with a sublime strike from distance in the 75th, while
Spain forward Pedro made it 3-1 before the final whistle.
"The defeat stings because of the way it happened," Inzaghi
said. "Luis Alberto's goal broke the game. At 1-1 we had
Dumfries' chance that would have changed things."
Having won their league opener against Bologna, Lazio have now
got maximum points from their first two home Serie A games for
the first time since 2015-16.
They are also unbeaten in their last four home league matches
against Inter, having lost the previous three.
In the next round of games, Inter host Cremonese on Tuesday
while Lazio travel to Sampdoria on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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