Inter Denied Top Spot, Despite Young's Maiden Goal
17 February, 2020
Serie A
Result: Lazio 2-1 Inter Milan
Date: 16 February 2020
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Inter Milan were denied the chance to reclaim top spot in Serie A after suffering a 2-1 loss at high-flying Lazio on Sunday night.
Diego Godin, Antonio Candreva, Ashley Young and Matias Vecino were all recalled to the Inter fall into line. Meanwhile, Lazio made only two alterations, as Stefan Radu returned in defence while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic slotted back in midfield.
Inter were on the front foot early on nonetheless they were fortunate never to be a goal down in the eigth minute after Milinkovic-Savic let fly with a rocket from range that crashed against the crossbar.
Conte's charges were playing on the break from then on and came near breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute after Marcelo Brozovic raced away with the ball from the half-way line and setup Romelu Lukaku, who saw his effort kept out by Lazio shot-stopper Thomas Strakosha.
Inter eventually broke the deadlock one minute before half-time on a counter-attack after Young powered home a rebound from Antonio Candreva's shot for his first goal in Inter colours since joining from Manchester United.
The next stanza started with drama, as Lazio were awarded a penalty 5 minutes following the break after Stefan de Vrij brought down Ciro Immobile in the box. Immobile stepped up himself and fired an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner to level matters.
Lazio then grabbed a the lead with 21 minutes remaining after Milikovic-Savic powered home a half-volley past Padelli after Immobile's initial effort was cleared off the line.
Inter thought that they had found the equaliser with 12 minutes left after Young played a square ball towards Lautaro Martinez, who finished with a diving header ibut the target was disallowed for offside.
Inter pressurised Inzaghi's charges in the closing minutes searching for an equaliser however the visitors held on to clinch the three points and leapfrogged Conte's men into second place.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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