Unexpected

Season 2024-25

Game 31, Serie A

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Stadio Gewiss, Bergamo

Atalanta Lazio 0-1

Lazio surprisingly win in Bergamo thanks to Isaksen

Official Lazio photo

The team

Having been criticised recently for a lack of turnover, Marco Baroni decided to change the team and make it more suitable to the circumstances. With Matteo Guendouzi suspended, in came Reda Belahyane and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru at midfield plus Loum Tchaouna for Gustav Isaksen. Nuno Tavares was back from injury and once again Christos Mandas took Ivan Provedel’s place. Alessio Romagnoli had caught the flu so Samuel Gigot was put in defence.

Atalanta were not in a great moment of form. They had struggled since beating Juventus 4-0 away, losing the last two games against Inter and Fiorentina.

Official SS Lazio photo

First half

The first 45 minutes saw zero chances for both sides. Atalanta were struggling for speed, depth and organisation, Lazio were content to control the game defensively and hope for a break on the counter attack.

Just a couple of things to note: a Dele-Bashiru cross from close range that was cleared before Dia could reach the ball in the 29th minute; umpteenth injury for Nuno Tavares who raised a white flag in the 35th minute and was substituted by Luca Pellegrini.

C’est tout.

Second half

Baroni threw in Isaksen for Tchaouna during the interval hoping for some of his recent magic. And Lazio seemed a little more courageous. In the 48th minute Dele Bashiru tried a shot from long range, Marco Carnesecchi parried. Two minutes later the biggest chance for Atalanta. Davide Zappacosta with a throw-in on the left, ball to Ademola Lookman who made a brilliant pass into the box to Sead Kolasinac who crossed low for Mateo Retegui but Mandas miraculously saved.

In the 54th minute Mandas sent a very long ball into the Atalanta half, Isak Hien and Kolasinac clashed, Dele Bashiru headed to Isaksen who beat Carnesecchi. Lazio ahead.

Practically game over. The only thing the Neroazzurri were able to create was a Zappacosta shot which Mandas parried comfortably and a header wide by Marco Brescianini. The Atalanta manager also helped Lazio by taking off Lookman (he claimed there was a misunderstanding) and putting in Daniel Maldini. The Biancocelesti could have made it two in the 74th minute when Pellegrini tried a shot from an impossible angle but Carnesecchi saved brilliantly.

To note is the debut in Serie A for Oliver Provstgaard who came on for Gigot in the 68th minute. A very positive game for him as for Belahyane.

Great win for Lazio. Oxygen in this very difficult moment where everything is at stake.

Who played for Atalanta

Carnesecchi, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Bellanova, Ederson (78' Brescianini), De Roon, Zappacosta, Cuadrado (58' De Ketelaere), Retegui (75' Maldini), Lookman (75' Samardzic)

Substitutes: Rui Patricio, Rossi, Ruggeri, Pasalic, Sulemana

Manager: Gasperini

Who played for Lazio

Mandas, Lazzari, Gila, Gigot (68' Provstgaard), Nuno Tavares (35' Pellegrini), Rovella, Belahyane, Tchaouna (46' Isaksen), Dele-Bashiru, Zaccagni (68' Noslin), Dia (84' Vecino)

Substitutes: Provedel, Furlanetto, Pedro, Castellanos, Hysaj, Basic, Marusic

Manager: Baroni

Referee: Chiffi

Goal: 54’ Isaksen

Booked: Rovella (L), Kolasinac (A), Lazzari (L)