Serie A
Mauro Icardi Double Helps Inter Cruise Past Lazio
A Mauro Icardi double helped inspire Inter to a comfortable victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
First half goals from Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic put Inter in control. Icardi then added a third halfway through the second half to secure all three points.
Lazio rarely threatened and were second best throughout. In fact they failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.
The result moves Inter up to 2nd place in Serie A above Napoli on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Lazio stay fourth, three points ahead of Milan who have a game in hand.
Inter started the brighter and almost took the lead after eight minutes.
A cross into the box from Ivan Perisic almost found Mauro Icardi at the back post. But the Argentine couldn’t get any contact on the ball and divert it goalwards.
Lazio’s best chance of the half fell to Ciro Immobile. A great ball over the top by Milan Badelj set Immobile in on goal.
However, the Italian uncharacteristically was hesitant in front of goal and allowed Inter defender Miranda to get back and put the Italian off as his shot went way wide.
On 28 minutes Inter took the lead.
A ball into the box from Brozovic found Ivan Perisic. He flicked it on to Matias Vecino who in turn flicked the ball onto Mauro Icardi.
The Argentine then slid the ball past Thomas Strakosha in the Lazio goal.
Five minutes before half time Inter doubled their lead.
A cross into the penalty area by Miranda was cleared away by Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic but only to Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
The Croatian then unleashed a fantastic strike from 20-yards out into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Lazio Improve But Icardi Strikes Again
Lazio were very ineffective going forward in the first half but were miles better at the start of the second.
A curling free kick from the edge of the box by substitute Danilo Cataldi was parried away by Samir Handanovic in the Inter goal.
Then on 67 minutes it was the turn of Adam Marusic to be denied by Handanovic.
Ciro Immobile picked out the Monteregian out wide. Marusic then unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box but it was easily saved by the Inter goalkeeper.
However, two minutes later Inter made the points safe.
A clinical counter attack saw Borja Valero drive forward and play a brilliant through ball to Icardi.
He cut inside Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic and fired his shot beyond Strakosha.
Ciro Immobile nearly scored a consolation goal late on for Lazio but his shot from inside the box was well saved by Handanovic.
Overall it was a comfortable victory for Inter to keep up their growing momentum in Serie A.
Icardi The In Form Striker In Europe
Mauro Icardi has been in great form recently. His double against Lazio means that he has scored seven goals in his last eight games.
Arguably he is the most in form striker in Europe.
Last season Icardi was joint top goalscorer in Serie A and with his current form few would bet against him becoming Capocannoniere once again.
Most of the time Icardi barely gets a touch and barely features in Inter’s attacking play.
However, when he gets a chance on goal, he takes it, the mark of a great striker.
If Inter are to challenge Juventus for the Scudetto they need Icardi to stay fit and be on top form.
He is pivotal to their chances and it is no surprise that Inter have won six Serie A games in a row whilst Icardi has been on his goalscoring streak.
After a slow start Inter do look like Juventus’s closest challengers for the Serie A title.
But given the form of the Old Lady it will be a tough ask to stay onto their coat-tails.
Lazio Have To Do Better Against Big Six
It was a sombering night for Lazio, who after winning six of their last seven Serie A games, would have fancied their chances of extending that run.
However, they failed to turn up in the first half and barely created any chances.
At 2-0 down it was always going to be an uphill task to try and get back into the game.
Even though they were better in the second half, they didn’t take any of their opportunities.
Lazio’s defeat was their fourth in Serie A this season. They have lost to Roma, Juventus, Napoli and now Inter.
If the I Biancocelesti are to challenge for a Champions League spot, they have to do better against the sides challenging for a top four place.
Lazio rely on Ciro Immobile too often. Strike partner Felipe Caicedo was ineffective up front and was substituted midway through the second half.
His replacement Joaquin Correa looked sharper and offered more of a threat up front.
That will give Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi something to think about.
Next up for Inzaghi’s side is at home against Spal in Serie A on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Inter face Genoa at the San Siro on Saturday.
Photo credit to Inter Milan via Twitter
