Inter Women win again: 3 - 0 against Lazio, Bugeja bags a brace

Inter Women returned to winning ways in Serie A, beating Lazio 3-0 at the Arena Civica on Matchday 5. It was a commanding performance from the Nerazzurre, who claimed another three points thanks to a high-quality display, creating numerous chances and applying constant pressure in the Biancocelesti's half. The hosts took the lead in the 22nd minute through a Consolini own goal, before Bugeja took centre stage. The Maltese forward scored twice, becoming the first foreign player in Inter Women's history to reach 30 goals in the Nerazzurri shirt. The victory takes Inter to 13 points in the standings, while they have also extended their remarkable defensive record to five clean sheets in five league matches. Next up for the Nerazzurre is the Derby against Milan, scheduled for Saturday 7 September at 15:00.

THE MATCH The sun was shining over the Arena Civica on 1 November as Inter Women began a run of high-profile fixtures. Sassarini made one change to the starting line-up, fielding Bugeja, Raphino and Cambiaghi together, with the Maltese forward playing just behind the two strikers. Payne, Santi and Tomašević formed the midfield trio.

The Nerazzurre made a flying start, pressing high and committing plenty of players into the opposition half. After just five minutes, the first big chance arrived: Bugeja carried the ball down the left before playing Raphino through inside the box. The forward found herself one-on-one with Mukasa and attempted a delicate outside-of-the-boot chip, but the ball narrowly missed the post and went wide.

Ten minutes later, Lazio registered their first attempt, with Sciabica's low diagonal effort drifting narrowly wide. Sassarini's side continued to dictate the play. In the 21st minute, Payne won possession in the attacking third and got a shot away, but her effort was comfortably saved by Mukasa. Just a minute later, however, Inter took the lead.

Cambiaghi produced an outstanding piece of skill, controlling the ball on the run and getting past Zannini before entering the box and squaring for Raphino. Consolini got across to make the challenge, but the resulting ricochet sent the ball looping towards the Biancocelesti goal. It struck the crossbar and crossed the line before Mukasa could make a desperate attempt to keep it out. It was Inter Women's 500th goal in all competitions and their 300th in Serie A.

The goal gave the Nerazzurre further impetus, and they continued to attack before doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Robustellini delivered a cross from the left, which Bugeja controlled in the middle of the box before unleashing a superb left-footed volley that flew underneath the crossbar. It was a spectacular goal from the Maltese forward, who marked her 100th appearance for Inter in the best possible way, scoring her 30th goal for the Club and becoming the first foreign player to reach that milestone.

The match could have taken a different turn almost immediately, however. Sciabica, Lazio's most dangerous player in the first half, tried her luck with a right-footed effort from the edge of the box. Rúnarsdóttir stretched to her right and tipped the ball onto the post.

After the break, Lazio immediately looked to threaten on the counter, with Camacho getting a shot away from a tight angle. Rúnarsdóttir made an excellent save with her foot, guarding her near post.

Inter quickly regained control, determined to put the result beyond doubt. The Nerazzurre continued to show their quality, combining effectively in attack. In the 53rd minute, Bugeja received the ball on the left and played Raphino through before making a run into the middle of the box. The ball was laid back to Haley, whose shot was blocked, before Robustellini's follow-up was turned behind for a corner by Mukasa.

It was a warning of what was to come, as five minutes later Inter made it 3-0 with a move that followed almost exactly the same pattern. Bugeja played a through ball to Raphino, who held off her marker inside the box, turned and laid the ball back into the path of the onrushing number 7. Bugeja finished first time with her right foot to complete her brace and score her fourth league goal of the season.

With a three-goal cushion, Inter comfortably managed the final half-hour and came close to adding a fourth on several occasions, making the most of the spaces left by Lazio. The Nerazzurre created a number of dangerous opportunities on the counter-attack, with Bugeja coming close to completing her hat-trick, Cambiaghi testing Mukasa with a left-footed effort and substitute Glionna narrowly missing the post late on. Cambiaghi then went close again after rounding Mukasa, only to be denied at the last moment.

At the final whistle, the Nerazzurre embraced one another, having produced the perfect performance to build momentum ahead of next matchday's Derby.

INTER WOMEN-LAZIO 3-0 | IL TABELLINO LIVE

Reti: 22' aut. Consolini, 35' e 58' Bugeja (I)

Inter (4-3-1-2): 1 Rúnarsdóttir; 15 Garcia (2 Kullberg 81'), 24 Milinković, 5 Andrés, 14 Robustellini; 17 Payne (18 Glionna 73'), 6 Santi, 16 Tomašević (8 Vilhjálmsdóttir 64'); 7 Bugeja (20 Detruyer 73'); 36 Cambiaghi, 26 Raphino (9 Polli 73') A disposizione: 12 Forcinella, 99 Belli, 4 Van Diemen, 29 Giudici, 46 Bressan Allenatore: David Sassarini

Lazio: 12 Mukasa; 4 Consolini, 5 Roddar (8 Martin 64'), 7 Connolly, 9 Camacho (17 Longobardi 74'), 11 Portales (92 Ngueleu 64'), 14 Zanoli, 16 Castiello (25 Goldoni 74'), 19 Sciabica (15 Le Mouël 74'), 22 Zannini, 99 Visentin. A disposizione: 1 Cetinja, 20 Freeman, 6 Masu, 27 Monnecchi Allenatore: Gianluca Grassadonia Ammonite:

Recuperi: 2', 4' Arbitro: Zini Assistenti: Testaì - Recupero IV ufficiale: Cafaro Operatore FVS: Macchia