Inter’s match against Lazio on Sunday was a fantastic advert for Italian football, at least in the eyes of former Napoli forward Gianfranco Zola.

Antonio Conte’s side overcame Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio 3-1 at San Siro thanks to a double from Romelu Lukaku and a goal from Lautaro Martinez, which was assisted by man of the match Lukaku.

The result pushed the Nerazzurri to the top of the Serie A standings and heading into the next round of action, they hold a one-point advantage over second-placed city rivals AC Milan.

“I saw Inter’s game against Lazio and it was beautiful, open and without defensive speculation,” Zola remarked in an interview with Italian news outlet Calcio Casteddu.

The former Chelsea forward then went on to admit that Italian football has grown with thanks to the unfortunate situation around the world with COVID-19, which has forced clubs to play behind closed doors for almost the past year.

“The lockdown with closed stadiums is making Italian football grow.

“The newly promoted, mid-table and top teams look after the game, there is systematic pressing and balance between departments is the norm.”

Inter want to open up a four-point gap over AC Milan with victory in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina.