This was a really fun match to watch, and as an Inter supporter, I'm sure glad they ended up winning. Leonardo has been under pressure as Manager, and a loss would have surely put them out of the Scudetto picture.
The match was nice and wide open early as both clubs had something to play for. Inter is still barely chasing the title, and Lazio, once considered contenders, are fighting for a spot in Europe. Lazio got a nice on goal in the 5th minute that forced Cesar to make a save. In the next minute Samuel Eto'o curled a shot just wide. Nice end to end stuff. In the 11th minute, Eto'o roared up the pitch on a break, only have the ball taken off him at the last second. Replay showed that it should have been a free kick. Lazio responded in the 15th with a nice run by Zarate, but Ranocchia made a gorgeous tackle in the area to spoil the chance.
Then the goals started. In the 22nd, Zarate broke 1 on 1 with Cesar. The Inter keeper brought him down in the area resulting in a penalty kick and a red card. Zarate scored on the cold Inter back up keeper, 0-1 to Lazio.
Inter put together a response though. They really started to build and put pressure on the Lazio defensive third. Sneijder had a shot saved in the 28th minute, and he managed to equalize in the 40th with a gorgeous bending free kick that was a great crowning moment on all the Inter pressure. We went to the half tied at 1-1.
Lazio tried to hang in there in the second half, and had some chances. Inter had the better chances though, and finished off their impressive performance. Zarate had to settle down after a hard tackle on Maicon earned him a yellow.
Inter took the lead in the 53rd. Samuel Eto'o made his presence felt yet again. Taking the ball up the pitch, he ran rings around the Lazio defense and slotted the winner home. Great finish, 2-1 Inter. Mauri got sent off in the 66th minute, putting both sides at 10, and Inter held on for the three points at home. A great win for them versus a good side, but the hole they're in now is probably too deep to get out of. They still might win the Coppa Italia though.
No comments:
Post a Comment