Simone Inzaghi concedes this was ‘like a final’ for Lazio, who passed with flying colours in a ‘clear and dominant victory’ over Milan.
This was the tactician’s first game back on the bench after several weeks out with COVID-19, and he returned with a massive 3-0 win against the Rossoneri.
Joaquin Correa bagged a brace, with the second causing a great deal of controversy, before a late Ciro Immobile strike.
Simone Inzaghi concedes this was ‘like a final’ for Lazio, who passed with flying colours in a ‘clear and dominant victory’ over Milan.
This was the tactician’s first game back on the bench after several weeks out with COVID-19, and he returned with a massive 3-0 win against the Rossoneri.
Joaquin Correa bagged a brace, with the second causing a great deal of controversy, before a late Ciro Immobile strike.
“This was like a final for us, the last chance to stay in the running for the top four,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.
“The lads did so well, it was a clear and dominant victory. It ended 3-0, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made saves on Immobile and Correa that only the best goalkeepers in the world can do.
“When Correa is in good shape, he really makes his mark in the big games. He has always had this immense potential and has shaken off some injury issues.
“Milan did well tonight, but they came up against a Lazio side in fantastic condition.”
Lazio needed this reaction after Thursday’s 5-2 defeat away to Napoli.
“It was a strange game, we were behind after eight minutes with some pretty clear incidents that didn’t go our way.”
Milan also complained about the referee this evening, specifically the second Correa goal, as Lucas Leiva seemed to foul Hakan Calhanoglu in the build-up.
“I haven’t seen it, to be honest, so I will look at it later. The referee viewed it again and made his evaluation.”
The battle for the Champions League spots is now absolutely wide open, because Atalanta have taken second place on 68 points, followed by Milan, Napoli and Juventus all on 66.
Lazio have 61 points, but also a game in hand to be played against Torino on May 18.
“We must try to reach the end of the season without regrets,” continued Inzaghi. “We’ll have many games in a short space of time and some of it will be keeping a close eye on bans and injuries.
“When we took over, Lazio wasn’t even in Europe. Now we’ll qualify for Europe for the fifth consecutive season and hope to be back in the Champions League, but there are other very big clubs all fighting for the same target.”