Inter Milan Vs Lazio: Nerazzurri Aim For The Sixth Anniversary Victory At The San Siro

Carlos Augusto, guarding the Inter Milan defense (photo: x @Inter)

JAKARTA - After maintaining a perfect record in European competitions, Inter Milan will try to maintain pressure on competitors at the top of Serie A by targeting a win over Lazio on Sunday night 9 November at the San Siro.

However, Lazio came with high confidence. Maurizio Sarri's team are unbeaten in the last six matches of Serie A. They began to find stability after a less convincing start to the season, especially thanks to the defense which is now much more solid.

Last week, Inter won a dramatic victory over Hellas Verona thanks to Piotr Zielinski's beautiful free-kick and an own goal at the end of the game. Since suffering two consecutive defeats two months ago, Cristian Chivu's side have won six of the last seven league games.

Their productivity also impressed scoring more than two goals per game and having had 11 different goalscorers, scoring a total of 24 goals so far, the highest in Serie A.

Led by Lautaro Martinez, who performed outstanding on the European scene this year, Inter also scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 12 Champions League games, including a win over Kairat in the middle of the week.

Despite having conceded the first goal in the group stage this season, the Nerazzurri still won four wins from four matches. Carlos Augusto's goal confirmed a 2-1 win after Martinez was equalized by the visitors.

With these results, Inter are now in third place in the Champions League standings and want to close the international break with a win in domestic competitions.

Inter also have a good record when they host Lazio. In the last six games at the San Siro, including one meeting in the Coppa Italia, they never lost.

Even so, Lazio managed to hold back Inter's draw in the last two visits to Milan. One of them last May when Pedro's dramatic equalizer made Inter lose their chance of competing to win the Scudetto.

Now, Lazio are only six points adrift of Inter in the standings. After the defeat at Derby della Capitale against Roma, Biancocelesti came back with 12 points from the last six matches.

Despite being burdened with transfer bans and injury storms, Sarri was able to adjust his playing style to be more pragmatic. The result was seen: Lazio recorded four consecutive clean sheets for the first time since 2023, and had just won two consecutive home wins at Stadio Olimpico.

However, the trip to the San Siro will be a true test for their revival.

Coach Cristian Chivu is likely to return to rotation given the tight schedule of matches. Key players such as Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi (former Lazio player), and Hakan Calhanoglu are predicted to start again.

Calhanoglu made a sharp appearance this season with five goals matching the total last season three of them came from outside the penalty box. Meanwhile, Martinez, who has scored six goals against Lazio throughout his career, will try to end a goal drought in Serie A which has been going on for four games.

Inter are now almost in full power after Marcus Thuram returned to fitness. Only Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian are still sidelined due to injury.

On the other hand, Lazio lost several important players. Tough defender Alessio Romagnoli picked up an injury against Cagliari and possibly missed, joining Nicolo Rovella, Valentin Castellanos, Matteo Cancelleri, Samuel Gigot, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the treatment room. Nuno Tavares is also doubtful.

Lazio did show significant improvements, especially in the defense. However, facing Inter who are in a frightening performance at home, Sarri's troops are likely to be in trouble. With the depth of the squad and the extraordinary impact, the Nerazzurri are predicted to extend their winning record to six consecutive matches at the San Siro.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

Inter Milan (3-5-2):Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram

Lazio (4-3-3):Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Provstgaard, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni

Inter Milan Score Prediction 2-0 Lazio