Hakimi, Lukaku overcome Spezia resistance as Inter win again

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:11 am

Second-placed Inter Milan needed second-half goals from Achraf Hakimi and leading scorer Romelu Lukaku to overcome stubborn resistance from Spezia as they beat the Serie A newcomers 2-1 on Sunday.

The win kept Antonio Conte's side one point behind leaders AC Milan, who won 2-1 at Sassuolo, after they extended their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, including six wins.

Inter, who have lost only once in the league this season, have 30 points from 13 games.

Apart from early efforts from Lukaku and Ashley Young, Inter were lethargic in the first-half but came to life after Stefano Sensi was brought on as a substitute at half-time.

Inter Milan just managed to get by Spezia on Sunday.
Getty

Spezia, making their Serie A debut this season, held out until the 52nd minute when Hakimi latched onto Lautaro Martinez's pass, sped away and scored with a shot which appeared to catch goalkeeper Ivan Provedel off his guard.

Lukaku added the second from a penalty in the 71st minute, his 11th league goal of the season, after M'Bala Nzola's handball.

Inter appeals were initially waved away but the referee changed his mind after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Roberto Piccoli pulled one back for the visitors in stoppage time, but too late to threaten Inter's win.