Inter Milan delivered an emphatic response to their recent UEFA Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen, thrashing Lazio 6-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Simone Inzaghi’s men showcased a ruthless attacking display, leaving Lazio stunned and maintaining their grip on the Serie A title race in a match that was anticipated to be a tight affair. This victory not only moved the Nerazzurri to within three points of league leaders Atalanta with a game in hand but also ended Lazio’s unbeaten home record in Serie A this season.
A Battle of Equals Turns into a One-Sided Affair
Both teams were level on points before the match, and the stage was set for a fierce contest. Lazio began brightly, pushing Inter onto the back foot early on. Nuno Tavares forced a smart save from Yann Sommer, while Tijjani Noslin squandered a golden opportunity to put the hosts ahead, sending Nicolò Rovella’s cross over the bar from close range.
Inter, though sluggish in the opening exchanges, gradually found their rhythm. Lazio’s failure to capitalize on their chances proved costly as the visitors came alive in the final 15 minutes of the first half. A chaotic sequence in the Lazio box led to the breakthrough, with Stefan de Vrij turning the ball home after Denzel Dumfries’ header had confused. Initially ruled out for offside on Lautaro Martínez, VAR intervened, revealing a handball by Lazio’s Samuel Gigot. Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up to the spot and coolly converted, shaking off memories of his recent miss against Napoli.
The Nerazzurri doubled their lead moments before halftime through a stunning strike by Federico Dimarco, who latched onto Dumfries’ lofted pass and smashed the ball past Ivan Provedel. By halftime, Inter had completely turned the tide, silencing the Olimpico crowd and seizing firm control of the match.
Barella’s Magic and Inter’s Domination
Inter wasted no time extending its advantage after the restart. Nicolò Barella produced a moment of sheer brilliance, unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt into the top corner, leaving Provedel helpless. It was a goal-of-the-season contender and the perfect exclamation mark on Inter’s dominant performance.
By this point, Inter was unstoppable. Alessandro Bastoni’s pinpoint diagonal pass found Dumfries, whose bullet header made it 4-0, leaving Lazio reeling. With over 35 minutes left to play, the Nerazzurri had all but sealed the victory, shifting their focus to conserving energy for future battles.
Late Goals Add Extra Shine
Despite easing off the tempo, Inter were not done. Carlos Augusto showcased exceptional control to slot home the fifth goal, while Marcus Thuram’s late strike from inside the box completed the humiliation. Lazio, who had won nine of their last 10 home matches across all competitions, were left in disbelief as their defense crumbled under Inter’s relentless pressure.
This result was even more remarkable considering Lazio’s formidable home form. However, Inter’s clinical display highlighted their intent to challenge for the Serie A crown, with a game in hand still giving them an edge in the title race.
What This Means for the Serie A Title Race
Inter’s crushing victory sends a loud message to their rivals. With Atalanta still holding the top spot, the Nerazzurri’s game in hand puts them in prime position to close the gap. For Lazio, this loss will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially given their strong start to the season.
As Inter continues their pursuit of the Scudetto, fans and pundits alike will be watching to see if Simone Inzaghi’s side can maintain this momentum in the coming weeks.
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Conclusion
Inter Milan’s 6-0 demolition of Lazio is a performance that will be remembered for years. From Barella’s wonder strike to Dumfries’ commanding header, the Nerazzurri sent shockwaves through the Serie A. With the title race heating up, Inter’s resurgence has made them the team to watch.
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