A change of coach, injuries and a possible lack of hunger after last term's treble mean Inter's bid for a sixth straight scudetto is floundering with the side down in seventh, 13 points behind leaders Milan with two games in hand.
Inter coach Rafael Benitez departed on Thursday after a torrid time since replacing Jose Mourinho in June.
"He need times to develop his role, his way of playing. I think removing him is mistaken," ex top-flight coach Renzo Ulivieri, head of Italy's managers' association, told Reuters.
Moaning about a lack of signings after Inter's Club World Cup win last Saturday has also contributed to Benitez's demise and the side do need new recruits in January if they are not going to relinquish their title without a fight.
The lethargic Brazilian could head home in the January transfer window given Milan are bringing in Sampdoria's combustible but skilful forward Antonio Cassano while the return to fitness of striker Alexandre Pato also boosts options.
Lazio, whose last title was in 2000, were relegation candidates last term but coach Edy Reja has guided the Rome club to joint-second to everyone's surprise thanks also to the cut-price purchase of superb ex-Sao Paulo midfielder Hernanes.
"Calmness, the right balance, a united dression room and a coach who has an incredible rapport with his team. Reja is the key," Lazio owner Claudio Lotito told reporters.
Napoli are level with Lazio after a series of stoppage-time winning goals which have led media to coin the phrase "Mazzarri time" in homage to mul
