Hernanes came back to haunt his former club SS Lazio as his two goals helped Inter Milan secure an all important 2-1 victory in an action packed Serie A game on Sunday at Olympic Stadium. Red cards for Mauricio and Federico Marchetti did not help the cause of Lazio as it gave the Nerazzuri a massive advantage which they were able to capitalize.
Brazillian international Hernanes, who moved to Inter Milan in January 2014, was playing against Lazio at Olympic Stadium for the first time since his move. Inter Milan made a slow start to the game and Lazio took full benefit of it as Antonio Candreva put them ahead in the 8th minute. Winger Felipe Anderson beat Gary Medel on the left side of the penalty box and his cross was side-footed home by Candreva to put the home side ahead.
But, soon thereafter, former Lazio man Hernanes came to the rescue of Inter Milan as he cancelled out Antonio Candreva’s early opener with nicely taken free kick in the 24th-minute. At the same time Inter got one more advantage as Lazio defender Mauricio was sent-ff for his challenge on Rodrigo Palacio.
Lazio showed great courage to fight with 10 men but their task was made more difficult when keeper Federico Marchetti saw red for his foul on Inter striker Mauro Icardi. Inter Milan took the full benefit of Lazioa s reduced strength and again, Hernanes came back to put more misery on his former employers Lazio as he beat substitute keeper Etrit Berisha six minutes from time to score through a back-flip.
Hernanes said after the game that he didna t want to upset Lazio fans, but showed his anger towards president Lotito in his press conference.
a It was the saddest backflip of my career. I didna t want to upset or disrespect the Lazio fans, but I had to do it for Lotito,a Hernanes told Sky Sport Italia.
a A while back Lotito said a bit too much. I was on the bench at the time and he said hea d got a bargain by selling me. I really didna t appreciate that.
a Ita s not my style, but I really wanted to score these goals and see if Lotito still felt the same way about me. The backflip was for him.a