Lautaro Martinez was the star man as Inter Milan made it two wins out of two with a dominant 3-0 triumph over Spezia on Saturday.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan maintained their perfect start to the Serie A season with a 3-0 win over minnows Spezia. The Nerazzurri came flying out of the blocks and were the dominant side throughout the night.
Lautaro Martinez enjoyed a fine night out and opened the scoring in the 35th minute. This gave Inter something to show for their efforts going into the break. Little changed in the second half and Hakan Calhanoglu doubled the home side’s advantage in the 52nd minute.
Spezia had more of a go in the second half but failed to hit the target even once. Substitute Joaquin Correa rounded off the night with Inter’s third in the 82nd minute, putting an end to the visitors’ misery.
Inzaghi’s side were very comfortable and should have ideally scored more. But given the near scare they received against Lecce on opening day, a return to San Siro saw normal service resume. By putting six points on the board, the Nerazzurri have laid down the gauntlet for defending champions AC Milan who play on Sunday. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Inter players fared on the night.
0 – Inter have not conceded any shot on target in a Serie A match for their first time since 30 January 2021, against Benevento. Unidirectional.#InterSpezia pic.twitter.com/7S6Zevd4Uj
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) August 20, 2022
Samir Handanovic: 6/10
The veteran goalkeeper could not have asked for a more comfortable outing. He did not have a single save to make all night and often appeared to be bored of proceedings. Little changed in the second half as Spezxia sent their two efforts wide of the target. Handanovic will have tougher nights, but this was as easy as they come.
Alessandro Bastoni: 7/10
The youngster was the standout player in Inter’s back three and impressed with his assertiveness and decision-making. He also got forward well and played in several crosses to Romelu Lukaku. Bastoni can consider himself unlucky not to grab an assist as his 43rd-minute delivery saw Lukaku rattle the crossbar.
Stefan de Vrij: 6/10
It was a straightforward night for the Dutchman, who was not bothered by the Spezia attackers. He was afforded time on the ball and the freedom to play at his pace given the visitors’ lack of ambition on the night.
Milan Skriniar: 6/10
Another player who had an easy night out, Skriniar was put under no pressure to make any errors. He played out from the back and even made a few forward forays as Spezia sat deep. The Slovak linked up well with Lukaku in the lead-up to Inter’s second goal of the night.
Federico Dimarco: 6/10
The Italian international replaced Robin Gosens in the lineup and enjoyed a comfortable night out. One could argue that Dimarco could have done more to contribute to Inter’s attack. While he did make forward forays and looked comfortable on the ball, it did not lead to anything substantial. Dimarco was eventually taken off for Gosens midway through the second half.
Hakan Calhanolgu: 7/10
The Turkish international looked sharp on the night and got off to a bright start. He nearly found Denzel Dumfries in the ninth minute with a pinpoint pass and pulled the strings in attack with consummate ease. He also finished off a fine team move in the 52nd minute to hand his side a two-goal advantage. The strike was Calhanoglu’s first goal for Inter from inside the penalty area (non-penalty goals).
1 – Excluding penalty goals, Hakan Çalhanoglu has scored against Spezia his first Serie A goal from inside the box with Inter (out of eight scored). Unusual.#InterSpezia pic.twitter.com/SFcgxvGFil
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) August 20, 2022
Marcelo Brozovic: 7/10
The Croat is Inter’s engine room and was given the freedom in the midfield to manoeuvre and set the pace for the game. He promptly obliged and ran the show, handing Inter the overwhelming advantage in the middle of the park. This also allowed the likes of Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella to get forward without abandon. Brozovic was taken off in the 85th minute for Kristjan Asllani.
Nicolo Barella: 6/10
The Azzurri star did have his moments but never could make the advantage count. Barella did not put in a foot wrong either and helped Brozovic run the show in midfield. But he was the least impressive of Inter’s midfield trio.
Denzel Dumfries: 7/10
The Dutchman was in high spirits following his game-winner last weekend, and it showed. He nearly scored at the back post from Calhanoglu’s delivery in the ninth minute but could not direct his attempt goalwards. He forced Bartlomiej Dragowski into a fine stop before the half-time break and was generally a menace to deal with on the right flank.
Lautaro Martinez: 8/10
The Argentine was Inter’s standout player on the night and linked up well with Lukaku up front. He opened the scoring with a fine effort after the half-hour mark and should have ideally had more. He linked up well with the other Inter attackers and had several shots at goal, forcing Dragowski into a couple of smart saves. Martinez’s form will give Inter the impetus as they look to regain their Serie A crown.
Lautaro Martinez for Inter vs. Spezia:
◉= Most touches in opp box (8)
◉ Most shots (4)
◉ Most chances created (3)
◉= Most shots in box (3)
◉= Most shots on target (2)
◉ Highest xG (0.46)Off the mark in 2022/23. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/1SmYJiwchZ
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 20, 2022
Romelu Lukaku: 7/10
The Belgian striker returned to the arena he lit up in the past and it was like he was never away. Lukaku linked up well with Martinez and proved to be a difficult man for the Spezia defence to keep quiet. He also went close himself on several occasions and rattled the post from an excellent Bastoni cross.
SUBSTITUTES
Edin Dzeko: 6/10
It was a wonderful cameo by the veteran who grabbed an assist for Correa’s goal. He led the line well and is an excellent option off the bench for Inter Milan.
Robin Gosens: 6/10
The former Atalanta man replaced Dimarco in the second half and enjoyed some joy on the left flank. He did, however, lack the x-factor going forward.
Roberto Gagliardini: 6/10
The Italian midfielder replaced Calhanoglu and kept things simple in the middle of the park.
Joaquin Correa: 7/10
The former Lazio man earned himself a fine goal coming off the bench. He looked sharp and linked up well with Dzeko.
Kristjan Asllani: N/A
The 20-year-old enjoyed a late runout but had little time to make an impact.
