With a solid performance and against a team of absolute quality, Inter achieved a victory last night that projects them to the double semi-final clash of the Italian Cup against Milan. Despite numerous changes in the starting lineup, Inzaghi found great responses from his players who brought home a not-so-obvious qualification. As always, let’s analyze the match with the ‘Five things we learned from Inter-Lazio’.

1 In a match with a broad rotation that many didn’t pay much attention to, at the start whistle, the desire to win at all costs emerged as before. A highly competitive mentality of the Nerazzurri fans and the same Inter of Simone Inzaghi, who knew how to impose himself with authority. And it’s better this way: great teams concede nothing, because every defeat can instill doubts that, in this crucial phase of the season, must absolutely be avoided.

2 Inter once again proved to be a team that knows what to do on the field. They managed the match intelligently, suffering the right amount at necessary times and hitting with precision when needed. Some will say that Lazio showed no great desire to win, but the fact is that Nerazzurri’s merits were superior: solidity, pragmatism, and the ability to close the game with coolness. This attitude is what distinguishes a great team from a simply competitive one.

3 There is little to do: misfortune has decided to rage on Inter. Even in this match, there were no shortages of aches and moments of anxiety, but injuries continue to always hit the same departments. First defense, then attack and goalkeepers. And, as if that weren’t enough, Darmian’s injury on the flanks has been added, which will force Dumfries and Dimarco to do extra work. A real pity, because Dimarco could have used a little rest to breathe for the upcoming commitments.

4 Some say that Inter has two high-level teams to downplay its successes. The truth is that behind the starters are quality reserves, but not two equivalent teams. Yet, some players are proving to be reliable alternatives: Martinez is growing in confidence between the posts, de Vrij was sumptuous behind Acerbi, Bisseck gave a solid performance, while Arnautovic scored a great goal and had an excellent game. But the real protagonist was Zielinski: an excellent performance that could seriously question the starting position of Mkhitaryan.

5 It’s worth noting: to date, after eliminating Lazio, Inter is the only Italian team still in the running in all competitions. This fact should not be seen as a weight, but as a demonstration of strength and ambition. For a team aiming for the maximum, there are no problems related to the schedule or fatigue: there is only the will to win everything. And Inter, game after game, is proving to have this mentality.