Serie A Report: Inter Mount Super Comeback Against Lazio
In a spectacular game at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Inter beat Lazio 4-3 after enduring another nightmare start largely thanks to a hat-trick by Hernan Crespo.
Inter played with a 4-4-1-1 system with Recoba behind Crespo upfront, while Lazio played with a 4-3-1-2 with Mutarelli behind Rocchi and Pandev.
Just like in the Coppa Italia game in midweek, [...]
In a spectacular game at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Inter beat Lazio 4-3 after enduring another nightmare start largely thanks to a hat-trick by Hernan Crespo.
Inter played with a 4-4-1-1 system with Recoba behind Crespo upfront, while Lazio played with a 4-3-1-2 with Mutarelli behind Rocchi and Pandev.
Just like in the Coppa Italia game in midweek, the Nerazzurri conceded twice in the opening minutes as first Pandev scored with a strange “spoon” like goal that went in under the crossbar after a deflection by Materazzi (2′), and then Mutarelli scored with a header from a cross by Jimenez (4′).
However, once again it was Crespo who restored some pride for the Nerazzurri as he beat Ballotta from close range after the ball was crossed in by Maicon (20′).
The Argentinean also equalised a quarter of an hour later, as he was found by a pass with the outside of his foot by Vieira, and scored from just behind the goal line (35′).
The show was not over in the first half as Ledesma scored from a free kick in the 41st minute that went in off the crossbar, giving Lazio the lead once again as the first period drew to a close.
Inter started better in the second half and came close through a header by Vieira, who was found by Figo in the 50th minute and headed just wide.
However, Lazio also had their chances as in the 53rd minute Jimenez made a terrific 30-metre long run but his effort was saved by Julio Cesar.
Inter got their equaliser in the 81st minute, as Crespo got his hat-trick with a close-range effort from a cross by Gonzalez.
Finally, Materazzi gifted Inter the victory in the 85th minute with a header from a corner. With this umpteenth victory Inter climbed to 93 points, a new record in the Italian league, while Lazio nevertheless secured their qualification to the Champions League as they are 3rd with 61 points along with Milan.