Lazio 1-1 Inter Milan: 5 talking points and observations from the tense draw | Serie A 2020-21

#3 Red card controversy

SS Lazio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

Players of both teams were red-carded in the game, first, it was Lazio's Immobile who had to go back in the 69th minute and later it was Sensi's turn in the 86th minute. The teams shared the spoils at the Olimpico, at the same time were equally responsible for some embarrassing antics on the field.

The match officials were quite lenient in the first half as they rarely reached into their pockets after foul play and let the game reset with a free-kick. In the second half though, especially after Lazio pulled one back, the tensions started to flare and the referee began booking the players.

It was Arturo Vidal's play-acting that forced the referee to award a straight red card to Immobile, though it was the Chilean who provoked the Italian forward. In an event of Karma, Inter's Sensi was also sent off after Patric drew a similar reaction foul from the midfielder.

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#2 Lazio lacked the edge going forward

SS Lazio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

It was clear that out of the two teams, it was the Biancocelesti that were struggling to keep up with the pace and energy of Inter Milan. They were slower than the Nerazzurri and most of the attacks were broken down before they even crossed the half-line. Most of their counter-attacks fizzled out as they ended up passing the ball back and allowed Inter players to regroup.

They have not hit the top gear this term but showed marked improvement from their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Atalanta last time around. They need to improve their fitness levels as the schedule will only get tighter as the season progresses.

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#1 Antonio Conte seems to have found his ideal starting XI

SS Lazio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

Since the beginning of the campaign, Antonio Conte has experimented a lot with his starting XI and has fielded a different squad in each other the three league fixtures.

Though Inter dropped points for the first time this season tonight, they looked like a well-balanced side against Lazio. The wingbacks were especially impressive, with Hakimi and Perisic linking seamlessly with the forwards. Defensively, the big centre-backs managed to put in a decent shift and did not allow Lazio much space to attack from the middle.

Vidal has proved to be a brilliant addition to the squad and adds that grit and never-give-up attitude in the middle of the park.