Inter Milan will aim to stay within touching distance of Serie A leaders Atalanta when they face Lazio on Monday night.
Locked in a tight Serie A title race, Lazio and Inter Milan meet on Monday evening at the Stadio Olimpico in what promises to be a thrilling contest. With both teams in excellent form, Lazio look to maintain their dominance at home, while reigning champions Inter aim to extend their unbeaten streak in the league to ten matches.
Lazio enter this clash on a remarkable run of form, having secured significant victories on three fronts. They eliminated Napoli from the Coppa Italia and followed it up with a 1-0 league win at the Stadio Maradona, knocking the former leaders off the top of Serie A. Midweek, Lazio continued their fine form with an impressive 3-1 Europa League win over Ajax, with Pedro starring in the victory.
While Lazio have sometimes faltered on the road, they have been imperious at home, dropping only two points at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A this season. Another win on Monday would see them reach 34 points after 16 matches, a feat achieved only once this century.
However, Lazio’s record against Inter has been less favourable, with just two wins in their last eight Serie A meetings. Manager Marco Baroni will look to buck that trend, knowing a victory would keep Lazio firmly in the title hunt.
Inter Milan, guided by former Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi, have been a picture of consistency this season. Since claiming their 20th Scudetto last term, the Nerazzurri have lost only twice in 20 matches across all competitions. They have scored three or more goals in half of their league fixtures, highlighted by last week’s 3-1 win over Parma.
Inter’s 41 away goals in 2024 have put them on the cusp of a historic tally, just five shy of the club’s all-time best in a calendar year. A win at Stadio Olimpico would also see them equal their record for away victories in a single year (13).
Though Inter suffered a setback midweek with a last-minute loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, their domestic form has been impeccable. Inzaghi remains unbeaten in his last four matches against his former club, and his side will be determined to maintain that record in this crucial fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
SS Lazio
The home side will be without their top scorer Taty Castellanos, who is suspended for this match due to accumulated bookings. Manager Marco Baroni is expected to turn to Tijjani Noslin to lead the line, particularly after the Dutch forward scored a hat-trick in the Coppa Italia victory over Napoli.
Concerns over defensive duo Luca Pellegrini and Patric, who picked up knocks during the Europa League win over Ajax Amsterdam, have been cleared, and both players are set to be available. Additionally, Matias Vecino and Alessio Romagnoli have been passed fit to feature, providing Baroni with much-needed depth and experience in defence and midfield.
Veteran winger Pedro, who has been Lazio’s top scorer in the Europa League with four goals, could be used as an impact substitute. Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella are expected to control the midfield, continuing their ever-present roles in the engine room.
Lazio are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation on the night. In goal, Ivan Provedel will retain his position as the team’s first-choice shot-stopper. The backline will feature Manuel Lazzari at right-back, with Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli forming the central defensive partnership. On the left, Nuno Tavares will provide width and defensive cover.
The midfield pivot will see Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella operating as the primary link between defence and attack, tasked with breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball effectively.
In attack, Gustav Isaksen is expected to start on the right wing, with Mattia Zaccagni on the left. Amine Dia will occupy the central attacking midfield role, supporting lone striker Tijjani Noslin, who will look to capitalize on his recent goalscoring form.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Noslin
Inter Milan
The visitors will be without former Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Additionally, Benjamin Pavard and backup goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro are unavailable due to their respective fitness issues.
Wing-back Denzel Dumfries, who missed the Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen due to illness, is expected to return and reclaim his spot on the right flank, replacing Matteo Darmian.
In attack, captain Lautaro Martinez is set to start, replacing Mehdi Taremi, who has struggled for form. Martinez will once again partner Marcus Thuram, who has been in sensational form this year, contributing directly to 20 Serie A goals in 2024.
Simone Inzaghi is likely to deploy a 3-5-2 formation, designed to maximize Inter’s attacking firepower while maintaining defensive solidity.
Yann Sommer will start in goal, anchoring Inter’s defensive setup. The back three will consist of Yann Aurel Bisseck on the right, Stefan de Vrij in the central role, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. This defensive trio will aim to neutralize Lazio’s attacking threats while providing stability.
In midfield, Denzel Dumfries will operate as the right wing-back, with Federico Dimarco on the left, offering width and dynamism in both defense and attack. The central midfield trio will feature Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who will combine creativity, ball control, and work rate to dominate the middle of the park.
Leading the line will be Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, a prolific partnership that has been the driving force behind Inter’s attacking success this season. Martinez’s finishing ability and leadership, coupled with Thuram’s pace and versatility, make them a constant threat to opposing defences.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Key Stats
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Lazio have won only two of their last eight Serie A matches against Inter (D2, L4), with both victories coming at home under Maurizio Sarri. These wins were by a 3-1 scoreline on October 16, 2021, and August 26, 2022.
- Inter have scored at least one goal in each of their last eight Serie A away games against Lazio (W4, D1, L3). The last time they scored in more consecutive away games against Lazio in Serie A was back in 1960, with a streak of 12 matches.
- Lazio have accumulated 31 points in this Serie A campaign. A win would take them to 34 points after 16 matches, matching or exceeding this total for only the third time in the three-points-per-win era (previously achieved in 1999/00 with 34 points and 2019/20 with 36 points).
- Inter have scored 41 away goals in Serie A in 2024, their third-highest tally in a calendar year. They only surpassed this total in 1949 (46 goals) and 2021 (43 goals). A victory would also see them equal their record for the highest number of away wins in a calendar year in Serie A (13), which was achieved in 2007 and 2021.
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Lazio have won the most Serie A matches by a single-goal margin this season (6), a feat only matched across Europe’s big five leagues by Mallorca (7).
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine striker has been in outstanding form throughout 2024, forming a formidable partnership with Marcus Thuram. Martinez has already contributed to Inter’s success with his clinical goal-scoring ability and knack for finding space in even the tightest of defences. His understanding with Thuram has made them one of the most dangerous attacking duos in Serie A, with Martinez thriving as both a finisher and a playmaker.
Heading into this clash with Lazio, Martinez’s leadership and ability to rise to the occasion will be critical. He will be looking to exploit any lapses in Lazio’s defensive setup, particularly in transitions, where his quick decision-making and lethal finishing can be decisive. Having been rested during Inter’s midweek Champions League outing, Martinez will be fresh and ready to spearhead his side’s attack.
If Inter are to claim a vital victory at the Stadio Olimpico, expect Lautaro Martinez to be at the centre of their success, showcasing why he is one of Serie A’s most complete forwards.
Prediction
SS Lazio 1-2 Inter Milan
This clash pits Lazio’s home dominance against Inter’s exceptional away form. Lazio will rely on their creative attackers like Pedro and midfield general Sergej Milinković-Savić to unlock Inter’s disciplined defence. Meanwhile, Inter’s firepower, led by Lautaro Martínez, and their ability to score on the road will test Lazio’s resilience. Inter’s depth, attacking prowess, and unbeaten streak give them a slight edge in what should be a tightly contested match. Expect both sides to create chances, but Inter’s efficiency in front of goal could prove decisive.
