Internazionale
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Lazio
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Internazionale vs Lazio Match Preview
Inter Milan will aim to make it seven wins on the trot when they lock horns with Lazio in what is expected to be a thrilling clash at the San Siro on Sunday.
Dutchman Sneijder has returned to full-fitness
The Nerazzurri have won six matches on the trot in Serie A, and if they manage to rack up three further points against Lazio not only will they overtake The Romans into fourth-place, but they will officially enter the title race.
As they proved in their 1-0 victory over arch-rivals AC Milan last Sunday, Inter are currently on fire and if they continue to play to their full capacity there is no doubt that they will cruise past an inconsistent Lazio.
Lazio may come into the match with two successive home victories under their belt, after having beaten Atalanta 2-0 in Serie A and Udinese 3-2 in the Coppa Italia, but previous to those victories, the Biancocelesti had suffered their biggest defeat of the season, 4-0 at the hands of lowly Siena.
The Romans have also struggled to match Inter, as in the last 15 meetings between the sides Lazio have won only once, that victory coming last season when they beat the Nerazzuri 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Edy Reja, the coach of Lazio, will have to confront the crucial clash without the services of Cristian Brocchi, Lorik Cana, Stefano Mauri and Libor Kozak, but what should alleviate his strategic concerns is the fact that he will be able to count with the presence of influential Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, who has recovered from a knock just in time for the match. His compatriot Andre Dias was also in doubt for the game but has since recovered.
Inter boss Claudio Ranieri decided to rest a number of his key players to take on Genoa in their Coppa Italia victory midweek, and this was a smart move, considering that he will count with a fresh squad to take on Lazio. Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder seems to have returned to full-fitness and will play slightly behind the in-form Diego Milito in the Inter attack, but Uruguayan goal-poacher Diego Forlan has sustained yet another thigh injury and could once again be sidelined for a lengthy period.
Meanwhile, consistent Brazilian-born Italian international Thiago Motta is suspended for the match after accumulating another yellow card in the Milan derby last weekend. Youngster Andrea Poli, who scored his first goal for Inter against Genoa midweek, is expected to occupy his midfield vacancy.
Internazionale vs Lazio Match Report
Inter Milan officially enter the Serie A title race after goals from Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini helped them edge out Lazio for a record eighth straight victory.
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Inter Milan celebrate goal against Lazio at San Siro
With goals from Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini, the Nerazzurri managed to turn around the match, after the visitors had taken an early lead through Tommaso Rocchi.
Inter, who had beaten arch-rivals AC Milan in the city derby last weekend, started the game strongly and almost went ahead when a poor kick-out from Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti almost presented Inter midfielder Ricardo Alvarez with a straightforward goal.
But it was Lazio who came closest to taking the lead, when Rocchi hit the woodwork after a horrible defensive error from Inter's usually reliable Brazilian defender Lucio.
However, in the 30th minute the Lazio captain went a step better when he put the Romans ahead after latching onto a sublime through ball from Cristian Ledesma with an even better finish.
When it appeared that Lazio would enter the break with a valuable advantage, the always-dangerous Milito combined with fellow Argentine Alvarez with a trademark strike to draw Inter level on the stroke of half-time.
The second half was as explosive as the first, as both teams pushed to the attack at every opportunity. While Lazio tried to get a neat passing game together, Claudio Ranieri's men opted for a more straightforward approach.
Inter looked particularly threatening each time they moved to the attack, and it seemed that at any moment they would score again.
They finally went ahead in bizarre fashion, when in the 63rd minute a looped forward header from Lucio bounced over the entire Lazio defense, and onto the onrushing Pazzini who lobbed the ball over Marchetti on the half volley for the eventual match winner.
Internazionale vs Lazio Videos
Highlights
All Goals
0-1 Rocchi T. 30'
1-1 Milito D. 44'