Inter Milan will be keen to stay alive in the Serie A title race when they take on Lazio on Sunday.
Sunday evening’s clash at the Giuseppe Meazza sees Inter Milan continue their pursuit of Serie A’s top spot as they welcome an in-form Lazio side that has quietly rebuilt confidence after a shaky start. Both teams arrive in strong spirits, Inter fresh off a perfect UEFA Champions League campaign and Lazio on a six-match unbeaten streak that has revived their domestic standing.
Under Cristian Chivu, Inter have rediscovered the fluid, high-tempo football that defined their Scudetto challenge in previous seasons. The Nerazzurri have won six of their last seven league matches, averaging more than two goals per game during that span, and their dramatic 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona last weekend showed their capacity to grind out results even when not at their best.
Inter’s attacking depth remains their greatest weapon, they have already had 11 different goal-scorers this season, amassing a league-high total of 24 goals. Lautaro Martinez continues to lead by example, delivering decisive performances both domestically and in Europe. His partnership play, relentless pressing, and finishing have set the tone for Chivu’s aggressive, front-foot style.
In Europe, Inter’s momentum remains flawless. Their 2-1 midweek victory over Kairat preserved their 100 percent Champions League record, confirming automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Confidence is sky-high at the Giuseppe Meazza, where Inter are unbeaten in six home games against Lazio in all competitions, including last year’s Coppa Italia quarter-final.
Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio have turned a worrying start into an impressive revival. Following their loss in the Derby della Capitale, the Biancocelesti have taken 12 points from their last 18, closing the gap on the European qualification places. A pragmatic shift from Sarri, moving away from pure possession dominance to a more compact, counter-attacking structure, has paid dividends.
Lazio’s defence, once a liability, is now a strength. The 2-0 win over Cagliari last Monday marked their fourth consecutive clean sheet, their best defensive run since 2023. The backline, anchored by Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila, has been disciplined and well-organised, while goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has returned to form with a series of commanding displays.
Historically, Lazio have frustrated Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza, earning draws in their last two visits, including Pedro’s dramatic late equaliser in May that derailed Inter’s title hopes. 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
Inter Milan
Following a successful midweek outing in Europe, Cristian Chivu is expected to rotate his squad once again as Inter Milan continue to navigate a congested fixture schedule. The Nerazzurri’s rookie coach has handled the transition into senior management impressively, balancing squad freshness with consistency in performance.
Several key figures who were rested in midweek are likely to return to the Inter Milan starting lineup for Sunday’s clash against Lazio. Among those set to be recalled are Alessandro Bastoni, who provides composure and vision from the back, former Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi, and midfield orchestrator Hakan Calhanoglu.
The Turkish playmaker remains one of Inter’s most influential players, and his dead-ball prowess has been crucial this season, already matching his goal tally from the previous campaign with five goals, including a brace in his last home appearance and three from outside the box. In attack, captain Lautaro Martinez, who has scored six career goals against Lazio, will lead the line once again and look to end a rare four-game Serie A goal drought.
Encouragingly for Chivu, Marcus Thuram has returned from a brief injury absence and is expected to start alongside Martinez, restoring the team’s most effective strike partnership. The only absentees remain veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and versatile wing-back Matteo Darmian, both sidelined through minor muscle issues. There are no suspension concerns within the squad.
Inter Milan are expected to continue in their well-drilled 3-5-2 formation, which provides both defensive stability and attacking flexibility. Yann Sommer will start in goal, bringing his usual composure and quick distribution. In front of him, the three-man defence should feature Manuel Akanji on the right side, Francesco Acerbi as the central figure commanding the backline, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left, tasked with progressing the ball into midfield.
The wing-back roles remain integral to Chivu’s system. On the right, Denzel Dumfries will look to exploit space down the flank with his overlapping runs, while Federico Dimarco on the left provides creativity and accurate crossing from wide areas.
The midfield trio will consist of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Luka Sucic. Barella will offer relentless energy and drive from box to box, while Calhanoglu orchestrates play from deep, dictating tempo and exploiting set-piece opportunities. Sucic’s inclusion adds youthful dynamism and pressing intensity to the central unit.
Up front, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will spearhead the attack. Martinez’s instinctive finishing and movement inside the box complement Thuram’s physical presence, pace, and ability to create chances through link-up play. The duo’s chemistry will be key to breaking down Lazio’s disciplined defensive structure.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
SS Lazio
Lazio travel to Milan with several fitness concerns that will test Maurizio Sarri’s depth and tactical flexibility. Their 2-0 win over Cagliari earlier this week came at a cost, as Alessio Romagnoli, the club’s defensive cornerstone, was withdrawn at half-time due to a muscular problem. The Italian centre-back’s absence is a significant blow, given his leadership and experience at the heart of Lazio’s backline. He is now expected to join an already lengthy injury list.
That list includes Nicolo Rovella, Valentín “Taty” Castellanos, and Matteo Cancellieri, all of whom remain sidelined with various fitness issues. Midfielder Samuel Gigot and winger Fisayo Dele-Bashiru are also ruled out, further depleting Sarri’s options both in midfield rotation and attacking flexibility. On the left side of defence, Nuno Tavares is a doubt as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain, and will face a late fitness test before the trip to the Giuseppe Meazza.
Despite these setbacks, Lazio have no suspension concerns heading into the fixture, allowing Sarri to field a relatively settled side in key areas against Inter Milan. His challenge will be to maintain the team’s strong defensive structure, which has yielded four consecutive clean sheets, while finding enough attacking balance to trouble Inter’s resilient backline.
Sarri is expected to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, which provides stability in midfield and allows his wingers to stretch the opposition. Ivan Provedel will retain his place in goal, bringing calm distribution and shot-stopping reliability. With Alessio Romagnoli unavailable, Mario Gila will partner Oliver Provstgaard at the heart of the defence.
On the flanks, Manuel Lazzari is likely to start at right-back, offering pace and overlapping runs, while Adam Marusic will operate on the left, balancing his defensive duties with occasional forward support.
In midfield, Matteo Guendouzi will take up a more advanced role, providing energy, forward thrust, and pressing from the right of the central trio. Danilo Cataldi will anchor the midfield as the deep-lying playmaker, tasked with recycling possession and screening the defence, while Toma Basic will complete the trio on the left, adding physicality and ball-carrying strength.
Up front, Gustav Isaksen is expected to start on the right wing, offering directness and pace against Inter’s back three, while Boulaye Dia should lead the line in the centre, using his movement and strength to unsettle defenders. On the left, Mattia Zaccagni will bring creativity and flair, cutting inside to link with midfielders or exploit half-spaces around the box.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Provstgaard, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni
Key Stats
- In their head-to-head encounters, Inter Milan have historically held the edge: out of 39 meetings, they recorded 20 wins, Lazio 13 wins and 6 draws.
- In those same H2H matches, the average number of goals per game was approximately 2.77.
- When the two sides meet, both teams scored in around 59% of matches.
- Inter Milan at home against Lazio have shown consistent goal output: in seven recent home matches, the combined total (both teams) registered over 2.5 goals in 70% of those games.
- Lazio’s defence has been tightened of late: they arrive on a run of clean sheets, which means their upcoming trip to the Giuseppe Meazza will test whether that improvement can be sustained against a potent Inter attack.
Player to Watch
Marcus Thuram
Few players have adapted to life at Inter Milan as seamlessly as Marcus Thuram, who has quickly become one of the Nerazzurri’s most important attacking assets. The French forward brings a unique blend of strength, speed, and technical elegance that perfectly complements Lautaro Martinez in Inter’s two-man attack. Together, they have formed one of Serie A’s most dynamic duos, Thuram’s physicality and creativity providing the perfect foil for Martinez’s finishing instincts.
Thuram’s ability to stretch defences and operate between the lines makes him a nightmare for opposition backlines. Whether he is drifting wide to create overloads, dropping deep to link play, or surging into the box with sharp movement, his versatility constantly disrupts defensive organisation. His hold-up play and awareness in tight spaces have also allowed Inter to transition from defence to attack with fluidity, particularly when under pressure.
What sets Thuram apart, though, is his composure in decisive moments. The Frenchman has developed a habit of producing impactful contributions, goals, assists, or moments of intelligent movement, when Inter Milan need them most. Thuram’s partnership with Federico Dimarco on the left flank has been especially effective, as their coordinated runs and crossing combinations stretch opponents horizontally and create space for late midfield arrivals like Nicolo Barella or Hakan Calhanoglu.
Against a defensively disciplined Lazio side, Thuram’s presence will be key to unlocking their backline and putting Inter Milan in front. His ability to draw defenders out of position and create one-on-one scenarios could determine whether Inter’s attack clicks into gear. If he finds space to run at Lazio’s makeshift defence, Thuram’s flair and precision could once again prove decisive at San Siro.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-0 SS Lazio
Inter Milan and Lazio arrive at San Siro in contrasting moods but with plenty of momentum behind them. Cristian Chivu’s Inter have been ruthless and efficient, blending their attacking power with defensive composure, while Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio are quietly enjoying a revival built on tactical discipline and defensive solidity. This clash, therefore, promises to be a fascinating balance of styles: Inter’s aggressive, high-tempo football versus Lazio’s compact structure and calculated counter-attacks.
Inter’s home record and attacking rhythm make them favourites heading into this contest. The Nerazzurri have not only won six of their last seven Serie A games but have also averaged more than two goals per match during that run.
With Hakan Calhanoglu dictating tempo from deep, Nicolo Barella’s relentless energy, and Marcus Thuram complementing Lautaro Martinez up front, Inter possess a variety of ways to break teams down. Their strength in transition and set pieces should also test Lazio’s defensive focus, particularly with Alessio Romagnoli sidelined.
Lazio, however, have reason for optimism heading into the game against Inter Milan. Their run of four consecutive clean sheets speaks to improved organisation, while the creativity of Mattia Zaccagni and the work rate of Matteo Guendouzi could create opportunities on the counter. Yet, sustaining that level of defensive concentration against an Inter side that constantly shifts play and overloads the flanks will be an enormous task.
Expect Lazio to frustrate Inter for periods, especially in the first half, but the hosts’ depth and intensity should tell in the later stages. With Martinez eager to end his scoring drought and Thuram in superb form, Inter’s attacking variety looks likely to decide the outcome.