In a thrilling clash at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Inter Milan drew 2-2 with Lazio this Sunday (18th), in the 37th round of Serie A. The result prevented the Nerazzurri from taking the lead in the championship, keeping Napoli at the top with a one point advantage. The match was marked by refereeing controversies, VAR-reviewed plays, and the expulsions of coaches Simone Inzaghi and Marco Baroni.
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First Half: Inter Takes the Lead
The game began with Inter pressing and pushing forward from the very first minutes. At 45+2 minutes, after a series of corner kicks, Yann Bisseck capitalized on a loose ball in the box and scored with his left foot, giving the home side the lead. Lazio tried to respond but struggled to break through Inter’s solid defense.
Second Half: Emotions and Controversies
In the second half, Lazio returned with more offensive intensity. In the 72nd minute, Pedro who had come on as a substitute equalized after a move that sparked controversy due to a possible offside at the start of the play. Just seven minutes later, in the 79th, Denzel Dumfries put Inter back in front with a precise header after a cross from Calhanoglu.
When victory seemed within reach for Inter, in the 90th minute, the referee awarded a penalty after VAR review for a handball by Bisseck. Pedro converted the spot-kick, leveling the score once again. In stoppage time, Arnautovic even found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Impact on the Table
With the draw, Inter reached 78 points, one less than Napoli, who also drew in the round. In the final matchday, Inter will face Como away from home, while Napoli will play against Cagliari. If both teams finish with the same number of points, a tiebreaker match will be required to determine the champion.
Tactical Analysis
Inter lined up in their traditional 3-5-2 formation, with wingbacks Dumfries and Dimarco playing key roles in the attack. In midfield, Calhanoglu orchestrated the play, distributing passes and creating chances. Lazio, on the other hand, used a 4-2-3-1 setup, exploiting the flanks with Isaksen and Dia, and relied on Pedro’s experience to shift the momentum of the match.
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Man of the Match: Pedro
Spanish forward Pedro was the standout player, scoring both goals for Lazio and playing a crucial role in securing the away draw. His second-half entrance completely changed the dynamics of the Roman side’s attack.
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Upcoming Fixtures
- Inter Milan: will face Como on May 23, away from home, in the final round of Serie A.
- Lazio: will host Lecce on the same day, aiming to secure their position on the table and qualify for European competition.
The final matchday promises high drama, with the Italian title still undecided and key positions up for grabs at the top of the table.
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