Serie A: Lazio beat reigning champions Inter Milan 3-1

Reigning champions Inter Milan were handed their first defeat of the 2021-22 Serie A season by Lazio on Saturday at Stadio Olimpico. Lazio came from behind to beat Inter Milan 3-1. Ivan Perisic gave an early lead to Inter from the penalty spot before Ciro Immobile equalized from another penalty after the break. Felipe Anderson put the hosts ahead with a  controversial goal before Sergej Milinković-Savic sealed the win with a stoppage time goal.

Perisic put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Nicolo Barella was brought down by Elseid Hysaj inside the penalty box. In response at the other end, Toma Basic’s attempt from Anderson’s cut back was saved by Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Perisic tested Lazio custodian Pepe Reina from outside the box before Lazio were awarded a penalty for Alessandro Bastoni’s handball inside the area.

Immobile stepped up and converted the spot kick to level the score at 1-1 in 64 minutes. And then. Nine minutes from time, Anderson gave the lead to the hosts. The Brazilian continued play despite Federico Dimarco being down injured and gave the ball to Immobile on the left. The Italian forward’s shot from inside the box was saved by Handanovic but the rebound was tucked in by Anderson. Inter players were furious about the game not being stopped for Dimarco’s injury.

In the stoppage time, Luis Alberto’s free-kick was headed home by Savic from close range to seal the three points for Lazio. Meanwhile five players were dished out in the aftermath as Inter Milan’s protests played out for several minutes.

All the goals we conceded were avoidable: Inzaghi

The win helped Lazio to fifth spot with 14 points from eight games while Inter Milan are placed third with 17 points from eight matches.

“Of our recent performances, it was our best. A team like ours when 1-0 up shouldn’t have made so many mistakes when trying to score a second,” Inzaghi told DAZN.

“We conceded that penalty on Patric’s header, allowed Lazio to get back into it, conceded a strange second and lost our heads. That should not happen, because the referee can let play continue and there were 10 minutes plus stoppages to go, we should’ve kept playing.

“The third goal was the worst, as we were not defending properly and switched off. We lost our focus and there was still time to make up for the second goal until then.”

Lazio argue Inter continued their attack and Lautaro Martinez had a shot on target before their counter-attack led to the goal, all with Federico Dimarco down on the ground.

“Lautaro Martinez could not see what was behind him, the referee could stop the play, he could not. We finished the move, it was just unlucky we conceded in the area where the player was down injured.

“That’s not the issue today, I think the problem is that a team like ours after that first hour should bring the result home.

“Lazio have quality, you can’t give them the chance to get back into the game. We had done really well for 60 minutes, ran hardly any risks, but let them back in and anything can happen. Unfortunately, we are paying the consequences for that.

“All the goals we conceded were avoidable. We should at least have tried to bring home a draw after going behind, not lose our heads like that.”

“It was emotional, five very intense minutes. I was very pleased to see my fans, I thank them and when the whistle blew, I became a professional, trying to give 100 per cent for my team.”