With a comprehensive display that left their modest opponents outclassed, Inter ease to a three-goal victory in their first match of the 2022-23 season at San Siro; making it two wins from two so far. A delightful opener - engineered by Lukaku and finished with aplomb by strike partner Martinez - set the Nerazzurri on their way, and they were rarely troubled afterwards; going on to record a sixth success from seven games against Spezia. The visitors barely laid a glove on the Serie A heavyweights and will trek back to Liguria with tails between their legs.
After two relatively straightforward fixtures to kick off the new season, Inter's first big test awaits on Friday, as they visit Rome to tackle Lazio. Meanwhile, Spezia are next in action when they host Sassuolo in seven days time.
That's all from San Siro today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+4'
FULL-TIME: INTER 3-0 SPEZIA22:34
90'+2'
Asllani gets to the left byline with a quick change of pace, but his cross is unsuccessful, as it careers into the side-netting by the near post.22:34
90'
Spezia skipper Gyasi makes way with the game lost; Holm is given a brief cameo.22:33
90'
A fruitless 90 minutes for Agudelo comes to its end, as Ellertsson replaces him for the final few seconds.22:32
87'
Dzeko is involved again, as his shot from the right side of the box is comfortably saved in a central position by Dragowski.22:30
85'
Inter make their final change, as Brozovic comes off and recent signing Asllani is thrown on.22:29
82'
Making a quick impact from the bench, Dzeko receives the ball from fellow substitute Gagliardini before calmly picking out Correa with a smart assist.22:28
82'
CORREA STRIKES! Finally, almost walking the ball into the net, Inter score their third goal of the game, as Correa receives the ball from Dzeko inside the box and sidesteps Nikolaou before slotting the ball home! That's 3-0 to the hosts: job done!
Gotti makes another substitution, as Kovalenko makes his return from injury to replace Simone Bastoni in midfield.22:23
78'
Even after making a number of changes, Inter are opting to largely rest on their laurels, conserving energy for the greater challenges ahead - perhaps sensible with a game against Lazio to come on Friday.22:21
75'
Martinez makes way for his countryman Correa up front for the final few minutes.04:04
75'
Both goalscorers are withdrawn by Inzaghi, with Inter on course for victory. First, Calhanoglu is replaced by Gagliardini in midfield.22:17
74'
To this point of proceedings, Inter have attempted 16 shots on goal, while Spezia have tried two - neither of which have been on target.22:16
72'
CHANCE! From Simone Bastoni's corner, the ball falls to substitute Strelec on the brink of the six-yard box. Under pressure, though, he cannot steer his shot cleanly and it squirts just wide of the target!22:45
70'
Preventing a probable third goal, Bourabia intervenes on the edge of the box, after neat play from Dzeko almost picks out Martinez, who is lurking dangerously by the penalty spot.22:12
68'
Inzaghi also makes a change on the left flank, as Dimarco makes way for Gosens.22:10
68'
To warm applause, Lukaku departs the scene and Dzeko will be his replacement.22:10
67'
Spezia's second change sees Sala depart and Strelec come on.22:09
67'
On his return to San Siro, Milan loanee Caldara is hauled off early; Hristov comes on.22:08
65'
Barella and Martinez combine to tee up Calhanoglu on the edge of the box, but as the playmaker unleashes a trademark piledriver, two white Spezia shirts hurl themselves at the ball and make a vital block.22:07
63'
Since their goal early in the second half, Inter's intensity has dropped, as their possession share slips from 64 per cent before the break to 53 per cent after.22:06
61'
Another Inter attack breaks down as Martinez sends a threaded throughball astray; Lukaku is left with no chance of latching onto the ball.22:03
59'
After Lukaku holds up play well under intense pressure from Kiwior, but Barella then wastes the ball on the edge of the box when he receives it.22:01
57'
Agudelo is penalised for an apparently fair challenge on Barella, deep inside the Inter half. The visitors just cannot find any fluency in the final third, and their frustration is showing.22:00
55'
A clumsy challenge from Martinez on Dragowski, who leaps to claim the ball in the air, brings down the Spezia goalkeeper and concedes a free-kick. The Argentina international has been tireless in his closing down, but that was a little excessive.21:58
52'
INTER STRIKE AGAIN! With a clinical finish, following approach play from Skriniar and Lukaku, Calhanoglu slots the ball into the bottom corner for Inter's second! The Nerazzurri go 2-0 up at the Meazza and surely extinguish Spezia's hopes of a fightback.
All-action Dimarco pops up at the other end, but his cross from the left byline strays too close to Dragowski, and the Spezia keeper gratefully gathers the ball.21:52
49'
A neat passing move by the visitors is ended as Sala just fails to latch on to a threaded throughball and Dimarco snaffles it away.21:51
47'
Calhanoglu is unsuccessful with an inswinging corner from the left, so steps aside to let Dimarco send an outswinger over from a second set-piece straight after. However, he fares not much better, and Spezia clear their lines.21:50
46'
We are back under way at San Siro!21:48
Inter have lost only two of their last 36 home games in Serie A, so with such an impressive record in hand a one-goal advantage, Spezia have it all to do if they are to topple the Milan giants by the final whistle. They may be heartened, though, that Lecce came within seconds of snatching a draw against the Nerazzurri last weekend.21:47
It took a while to step up through the gears, but in their first home match of the new season, Inter started to turn territorial supremacy into shots on target by the end of the first half and deservedly lead at the break. In fact, Inzaghi's men should have scored more, as after Martinez's opener, his partner Lukaku struck the bar and the Argentinian striker missed a good chance himself. Spezia have done well to limit the damage thus far, and given their organisation and endeavour, the visitors will still dream of an unlikely comeback after the interval.21:39
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: INTER 1-0 SPEZIA21:33
44'
WIDE! Dumfries wins a header with his formidable leap, and the ball drops to Martinez on the edge of the six-yard box, but he can only guide it wide on the stretch! Inter come so close again - they really should have doubled their lead by now!21:33
43'
OFF THE BAR! Another Alessandro Bastoni ball into the box picks out Lukaku, who holds does well to hold off two defenders and aim a header at goal. However, it rattles the crossbar and runs away to relative safety for Spezia!21:31
41'
SHARP SAVE! Again, Dragowski earns his wage, as he denies Dumfries a goal by diving at his feet and making a decisive block with his feet. It was a great pass by Martinez, who is now operating at full confidence levels.21:28
39'
After Caldara clears away a free-kick into the box, Brozovic attempts a sweeping crossfield ball towards Dimarco, who is free on the left, but it drifts out of play to his great frustration.21:26
37'
As Inter seek a second, Alessandro Bastoni tries a through-ball, but Lukaku is caught just offside.21:25
35'
Heading the ball perfectly into the path of his old friend Martinez, Lukaku sets up the opening goal.21:23
35'
INTER LEAD! The Nerazzurri's front two are back in business at San Siro! Lukaku runs through the centre to meet a ball from the right; nodding back into the path of Martinez, who calmly controls it and then strikes into the bottom-left corner! Inter 1-0 Spezia, and that's a much deserved opener for the hosts!
Inter are building some attacking rhythm now, as Dumfries thumps a shot from the edge of the box high and wide to the right of Dragowski's goal.21:20
31'
JUST WIDE! Under pressure, Reca is forced to head the ball behind for a corner. Dimarco's cross is initially punched clear by Dragowski, but when the ball is quickly recycled, Martinez turns on a sixpence and fires a shot into the side-netting on the left side of Spezia's goal.21:18
29'
Not only are Inter unbeaten in all six of their previous encounters with Spezia before today's game - incorporating five wins and one draw - they have scored 16 goals and conceded only four in the process.21:15
27'
Spezia are growing into the game a little more, as Simone Bastoni chases down a hopeful ball along the left touchline, only to be shut out by the Inter defence.21:13
25'
After Sala surges into the box, he is unfortunate not to win a corner off Brozovic, who slides in to block him, as the ball strikes the Spezia midfielder and goes behind.21:12
23'
Nzola gets in between Dumfries and Skriniar as he tries to latch on to a long throw into the box, but the big striker cannot make clean contact with the ball and it rolls behind for a goal-kick.21:10
22'
So far, Inter have had 58 per cent of the ball and have attempted five shots at goal compared to none for Spezia, who are busily working overtime to keep their hosts at bay.21:08
20'
Spezia have another corner after De Vrij overhits a back-pass to his goalkeeper, but Nzola is crowded out when he receives the ball, and Inter regain the ball and fly forward on the counter: Martinez wins the hosts a corner of their own.21:06
18'
A rare foray into Inter's half results in a Spezia corner, conceded by Dimarco, but Simone Bastoni's low cross is cleared away by the Nerazzurri rearguard without too much trouble.21:04
16'
Martinez buys a free-kick off Caldara by dazzling the defender with some sparkling footwork. Then, following the set-piece, Alessandro Bastoni strikes an ambitious effort off target from outside the area.21:04
14'
SAVE! Dragowski is called into action again, as he drops down to his left; making a sharp stop from Martinez's powerful shot towards the bottom corner. The Spezia stopper could be in for a busy game here!21:01
13'
Dumfries stands up an inviting lofted cross to the back post from the right, forcing Gyasi to head the ball behind and concede a corner. Spezia are able to clear their lines, though, following the set-piece.20:59
11'
The hosts' territorial dominance is almost complete to this point, but Spezia are well organised and are keeping a good shape inside their defensive third.20:57
9'
CLOSE! Calhanoglu's cross into the box from the free-kick curls perfectly into Dumfries' path at the back post, but the Dutchman's header is scrambled away by Dragowski on his goal line! That's Inter's best chance yet.20:55
8'
A mistimed tackle by Simone Bastoni brings down Barella high up on the right flank, and Inter will have a free-kick from a promising crossing position.20:53
6'
Martinez smartly steps over a low ball across the edge of the box, then Lukaku lays off for Dumfries, but the wing-back cannot continue Inter's attacking momentum and Spezia get the ball clear.20:52
4'
For the third time in quick succession, Inter are caught offside, after a lofted pass from Dimarco on the left almost springs his forwards into action on the edge of Spezia's area.20:50
2'
A perceptive angled through-ball by Bastoni almost picks out Lukaku, playing on the last defender's shoulder, but the ball skips past the Belgian striker and into Dragowski's gloves. He may have been just offside in any case.20:48
1'
We are under way in Milan, as Spezia kick off!20:45
The players are out on the pitch at San Siro, with kick-off now just moments away!20:43
Spezia start life without former captain Giulio Maggiore today, after his refusal to accept being replaced as skipper due to a contract dispute saw him depart for Salernitana. His successor, Gyasi, lines up on the right wing for the visitors, while Nzola starts up front having finally scored in Serie A for the first time since last November. Meanwhile, injury sees Janis Antiste, Kelvin Amian, Salva Ferrer and Daniele Verde all miss out.20:40
After his side's narrow escape in Lecce, Simone Inzaghi has opted for two changes to the Inter lineup today; switching his wing-backs on either side. On the left, Gosens makes way for Dimarco, who moves from the back three to accomodate Bastoni, while last week's match-winner Dumfries replaces Darmian on the right. Only Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unavailable due to injury for the hosts, as Martinez and Lukaku once again join forces up front.20:34
SUBS: Jeroen Zoet, Mikael Egill Ellertsson, Nicolo Bertola, Petar Zovko, David Strelec, Daniel Maldini, Sanca, Viktor Kovalenko, Suf Podgoreanu, Emil Holm, Albin Ekdal, Elio Capradossi, Petko Hristov.20:31
SPEZIA (3-5-2): Bartlomiej Dragowski; Jakub Kiwior, Mattia Caldara, Dimitris Nikolaou; Emmanuel Gyasi, Mehdi Bourabia, Jacopo Sala, Simone Bastoni, Arkadiusz Reca; Kevin Agudelo, M'Bala Nzola.20:29
SUBS: Andre Onana, Alex Cordaz, Joaquin Correa, Roberto Gagliardini, Robin Gosens, Raoul Bellanova, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Matteo Darmian, Edin Dzeko, Lucien Agoume, Kristjan Asllani.20:27
INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku.20:24
Kicking off the club's third top-flight campaign, Spezia won 1-0 against Empoli last Sunday, in Luca Gotti's first league match in charge at Stadio Alberto Picco. The Aquilotti began life under new management with a 5-1 win over Como a week earlier, as they progressed to the second round of the Coppa Italia. Though they have troubled Milan in the recent past, Spezia were beaten 2-0 by Inter at San Siro last year, and then 3-1 back home in Liguria.20:22
Aiming to go one better this season, after finishing second to city rivals Milan last term, Inter escaped with a last-gasp win at Lecce in their opening match last week. Away to a newly-promoted side, the Nerazzurri required the last kick off the game to secure a 2-1 victory, as Denzel Dumfries turned in a stoppage-time winner to bookend Romelu Lukaku's second-minute strike. Ahead of today's home debut for the 2022-23 campaign, Inter have won nine of their last 10 in Serie A and are unbeaten in all six previous encounters with their visitors.20:19
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Serie A clash between Inter and Spezia at San Siro!20:16
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:16
Inter - Spezia is a match of 2 day of the season Serie A 2022/2023. The match will be 20 august at 18:30 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Inter - Spezia will be Davide Ghersini with the help of Damiano Di Iorio e Edoardo Raspollini. At VAR there will be Valerio Marini.
Currently Inter is 1° in the standings with 6 points (thanks of 2 wins, 0 draws and 0 defeats); while Spezia is 11° in the standings with 3 points (thanks of 1 vittoria, 0 pareggi and 1 sconfitta). Inter scored 5 goals and conceded 1; Spezia scored 1 goals and conceded 3.
At home Inter scored 3 points (1 win, 0 draws and 0 losses). Away Spezia scored 0 points (0 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses). Inter in the last two matches of the season challenged Lecce, Spezia obtaining 6 points thanks to 2 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. Spezia in the last match of the season challenged Empoli obtaining 3 points. In the last match Inter was against Spezia winning 3-0 while Spezia was against Empoli winning 1-0.
Inter and Spezia competed 4 times in the league. In the previous matches Inter won 3 times, Spezia never won while the number of draw is only one.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Inter-Spezia You can see the live match Inter-Spezia here on Virgilio Sport starting 18:30 CET of 20 august. Discover who will broadcast live Inter - Spezia between Sky and Dazn.
