Lazio 3-1 Inter Milan: What did we learn as the Biancocelesti plagued Rome?

In what was a Serie A heavyweight showdown on Friday night, Lazio set a clinical marker as they cruised to a 3-1 fight against Inter Milan.

Extending their unbeaten start to the 2022/23 campaign, goals from Felipe Anderson, Luis Alberto and Pedro capped off a famous win for Maurizio Sarri's side.

While Lazio might have briefly rocketed to the top of Italy's top flight, there's no doubt that Inter would have simply been desperate to get away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Returning to earth after opening the new season with back-to-back Serie A wins, we took a look at what we learned from Friday's battle in Rome.

Sarri gets the answer he was asking for

While Lazio might have opened the 2022/23 campaign on August 14 with a 2-1 win at home to Bologna, the former Chelsea boss saw his side look toothless last weekend.

Missing what they touted as a golden chance as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate in Turin, Sarri really couldn't have wished for a better response here.

Having managed three goals on Friday night and knowing they could easily have scored a handful more, Lazio have also established a reputation for their robust performance at home.

In fact, aside from that terrible 3-0 loss to bitter rivals Roma in March, Sarri's side have lost just one of their last nine Serie A clashes at the Stadio Olimpico, in continuity with last season.

Questions Inter must answer

In the end, dropping two points to retain their Serie A crown last season, it's no secret that Inter Milan are aiming to right that mistake this time around.

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However, despite opening the 2022/23 campaign with back-to-back wins over Leece and Spezia, Simone Inzaghi's men have failed to cope with a rise in class here.

Amazed at the Stadio Olimpico and asking no real questions in Rome, the former Lazio boss will know that he has increasing pressure on his shoulders.

Left with an egg on his face after being outwitted by his former employers, the 46-year-old saw his side show signs of a summer hangover.

Signifying their pre-season preparations by not winning any of their last four friendly appearances, Inzaghi will know that stability is key.

Lazio can mount a charge in the Champions League

While Lazio may have had their name in the hat for Friday's Europa League group stage draw, the Biancocelesti could still wonder what might have been.

Although it has been announced that the Italian icons will share Group F alongside Feyenoord, Midtjylland and Strum, Sarri's side will feel they should feature in Europe's elite tournament.

Finally finishing six points from a top-four finish in May, Lazio have another Champions League charge at the top of their agenda.

Now managing to muster seven points from their first three Serie A appearances, Monday's hosts have remarkably secured just one top four finish since 2015.

However, underscoring their qualities at Roma and with attacking talisman Ciro Immobile already opening his top-flight account, Sarri's side have certainly set a first milestone.

Martinez gives hope to Inter

While Romelu Lukaku may have grabbed the headlines after his almost immediate return to the San Siro on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, Lautaro Martinez has been the best player in the Inter so far this year.

Although Lukaku was able to mark his return to Serie A with a strike against Leece on the opening weekend, the Belgian sniper failed to capitalize on that first statement in Milan.

However, with Martinez dragging Inter level on Friday night just six minutes after half-time, the Argentina international was arguably the only positive note for Inzaghi's title contenders.

Having already scored twice in Inter's first three appearances in the top flight, San Siro fans know how important the 25-year-old is to them this season.

Despite being linked with a big money transfer to the Premier League again in recent months, Martinez is proving to be Inter's true MVP.

Match Report:

Lazio: Provedel, Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Vecino, Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni

Subs: Alberto, Pedro, Antonio, Cancellieri, Hysaj

Inter Milan: Handanovic, Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni, Dimarco, Brozovic, Gagliardini, Barella, Dumfries, Lukaku, Martinez

Subs: Calhanoglu, Correa, Darmian, Dzeko, Gosens

Goals: Lazio: Anderson (40′), Alberto (75′), Pedro (86′) – Inter Milan: Martinez (51′)

Yellow card...