Lazio sink Inter to take top spot

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/ AFP

Lazio secured a 3-1 home victory over Inter Milan that took their side top of Serie A on Friday.

Felipe Anderson, Luis Alberto and Pedro were on the score sheet for Lazio while the result saw Inter drop their first points of the season on coach Simone Inzaghi's return to his old club.

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.

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.

More from Sports

  • Man City held to 2-2 home draw by Brighton

    Manchester City could only muster a 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, dropping points in a blow to their hopes of playing European football next season.

  • Verstappen surprised by Red Bull improvement in Australia

    After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula One defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

  • Sabalenka to battle teen Andreeva in Indian Wells final

    Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the Indian Wells final where she will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who avenged her Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys with a 6-0 6-1 rout.

  • 75th Formula 1 season debuts this weekend

    The Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia this weekend, setting the stage for a championship battle that will unfold across 24 races before reaching its conclusion at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (December 4-7) at Yas Marina Circuit.

  • Barca's Gavi left out of Spain squad, Real's Asencio gets first call-up

    Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has earned his first call-up from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente on Friday for their two-leg Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8

    Noon - 7:00pm

    Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

  • The Music Mix

    7:00pm - 11:00pm

    Enjoy your favourite music back to back commercial free, tune in to the Music Mix everyday from 1 until 2 for the music you love and the news updates you need

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!