#NerazzurriClassics – When José Mourinho & His Inter Milan Dominated A Lackluster Lazio In Rome | OneFootball

On December 6th 2008, José Mourinho and his Inter Milan traveled to Rome and Stadio Olimpico to play Lazio in Match Day 15 of the 2008/2009 Serie A season.

Despite having won three Serie A titles on the trot, Inter Milan made a managerial change. This after Roberto Mancini struggled in Champions League the previous season.

So Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti appointed The Special One, Jose Mourinho as manager at the start of 2008-09 Serie A season.

The aspirations were clear. retain the title and go deep in the Champions League. At that moment, Delio Rossi was the coach of Lazio, who were coming off a disappointing 12th place finish.

Going into the season, the Biancocelesti were hoping for an improvement over previous campaign and hopefully sneaking into an Europa League spot.

At the start of the season, Lazio got off to a promising start, winning four out of their first five games. Their only loss against AC Milan.

However, by the time the Inter Milan clash on Match Day 15 came around, they were in the middle of a horrible slump.

The team had gone winless in three consecutive games. A stretch where they only managed to score one goal and failed to keep a single clean sheet.

José Mourinho & His Inter Milan Superteam Dominated Lazio

On the other hand, the Nerazzurri were in flying form under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Inter won 10 out of first 14 matches.  Only losing once while averaging almost two goals per game.

Starting for the home side was Juan Pablo Carrizo in goal. With David Rozehnal, Modibo Diakite, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Aleksander Kolarov in defense.

Ousmane Dabo, Pasquale Foggia, Stefano Mauri and Cristian Ledesma started in midfield. In attack Mauro Zarate partnered Goran Pandev.

Subsequently, for the visitors, the starting eleven was Julio Cesar in goal, Ivan Cordoba, Walter Samuel, Javier Zanetti and Maxwell in defense.

Esteban Cambiasso, Sulley Muntari, Dejan Stankovic and Maicon in midfield. In attack Julio Cruz partnered Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Inter got off to a flying start, scoring the opening goal of the match within two minutes. Walter Samuel headed home a Sulley Muntari cross from the left.

Therefore, Lazio were unable to make their mark in the match, as Inter defended in numbers and attacked swiftly in transition to play on counter-attack.

Before half-time, a marauding run forward from Maicon resulted in an own goal as Modibo Diakite deflected the Brazilian’s cross into his own net, giving Inter a comprehensive 2-0 lead.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Secures Three Points For Inter

As the second half got underway, Lazio’s struggles to retain possession continued. Lazio had lost Goran Pandev due to injury already in the first half.

As a result, the home side were unable to mount a comeback into the match.

Inter added a third goal at 55th minute mark as Ibrahimovic headed home an Esteban Cambiasso free-kick.

A goal that in all honesty shouldn’t have stood as the Swede was clearly in an offside position.

From Maicon’s runs forward to Zlatan’s dominance inside the box, Lazio had no answers for Nerazzurri.

This as the visitors continued their phenomenal start to the season securing their 11th win overall and sixth consecutive victory.