MILAN – A blistering performance from Stefano Pioli's Inter in the second half this evening proved far too much for Lazio to handle, continuing the fantastic recent run of form.
The Nerazzurri ended the year in perfect fashion as a sublime strike from Ever Banega and a brace from Mauro Icardi secured a well-deserved win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Week 18.
Lazio actually started as the better team and created a chance straight from kick-off. Ciro Immobile cut inside and tested Samir Handanovic, who was equal to the Italian's shot but was grateful to Danilo D'Ambrosio's positioning to block Senad Lulic's follow-up.
Inter's first chance came in the ninth minute when Icardi whipped in a dangerous cross for Ivan Perisic, who couldn't stoop down low enough to make contact and it went by harmlessly.
Felipe Anderson could have done better for the visitors in the 25th minute; his slaloming run took him past three Nerazzurri defenders and into a shooting position, but he had seemingly run out of gas, so his effort was tame and straight at D'Ambrosio.
It was a balanced affair in the first half. Both teams had plenty of the ball and created a few half-chances, but nothing to unduly trouble the two goalkeepers. After no additional time in the first 45 minutes, the teams went in for a rest with the scoreline goalless.
There were no changes at half-time as Lazio once again looked quicker out of the blocks. Nevertheless, the first big chance fell to Inter: Cristian Ansaldi played in to Antonio Candreva, who fired in a cross-shot. Icardi looked to have been manhandled to the ground as he tried to make sure of it, but the referee waved away any penalty claims.
It didn't matter though, as the opener came two minutes later – and what a goal it was. Banega picked Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's pocket in his own half and let fly with an unstoppable 25-yard effort that rifled into the top corner.
Lazio didn't even have time to take stock before they were 2-0 down. D'Ambrosio drilled in a cross to the front post and Icardi showed fantastic striker's instincts to dart in front of his marker and glance it home with his head.
The Biancocelesti were hanging on and tried to take the sting out of the game with a few fouls and substitutions. Ten minutes later, however, Inter got the third and decisive goal. Straight from the training ground, Banega feinted a cross into the box from a set piece on the wing but instead pulled it back to the penalty spot where Icardi was arriving to sweep home via Federico Marchetti's outstretched palm.
The skipper could have had a hat-trick ten minutes from time, but the crossbar denied him after he showed good invention to control and strike a lay-off from Rodrigo Palacio.
With the points secured, Pioli sent on Gabriel Barbosa in place of Candreva for an exciting and crowd-pleasing cameo, with the Brazilian offering glimpses off what he can do.
The Meazza faithful met the final whistle with a roar of approval, as Inter said goodbye to 2016 in style and left cause to expect more of the same in the New Year.
INTER 3-0 LAZIO (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Banega 54, Icardi 56 and 65.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 15 Ansaldi (55 Nagatomo, 62); 77 Brozovic, 7 Kondogbia; 87 Candreva (96 Barbosa, 85), 19 Banega (8 Palacio, 74), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 2 Andreolli, 11 Biabiany, 13 Ranocchia, 21 Santon, 23 Eder, 27 Gnoukouri, 94 Yao.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
LAZIO: 22 Marchetti; 8 Basta, 3 Da Vrij, 13 Wallace, 4 Patricio (14 Keita, 59); 16 Parolo, 20 Biglia (5 Cataldi, 82), 21 Milinkovic; 10 F. Anderson, 17 Immobile, 19 Lulic (25 Lombardi, 72).
Subs not used: 1 Strakosia; 55 Vargic, 2 Hoedt, 7 Kishna, 9 Djordjevic, 14 Keita, 15 Bastos, 18 L. Alberto, 96 Murgia.
Coach: Simone Inzaghi.
Yellow cards: Ansaldi 57, Felipe Anderson 59, Lulic 63, Miranda 76.
Additional time: 0+3 minutes.
Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni.
Assistants: Andrea Crispo, Fabrizio Posado.
Fourth official: Filippo Meli.
Additional assistants: Gianluca Rocchi, Marco Guida.
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