UEFA Cup, Semi Final
Tuesday, March 31, 1998
Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid
Atletico Madrid Lazio 0-1
A superb first half strike by the Serb allows Lazio to survive and win in a fiery Calderon hell hole.
Today in Spain however was a European UEFA Cup match, the first leg of the semi-final. Lazio had got this far by knocking out Portuguese Vitória Guimarães (4-0, 2-1), Russian Rotor (0-0, 3-0), Austrian Rapid Vienna (2-0, 1-0) and French Auxerre (1-0, 2-2).
The match
A noisy, passionate, sold out Calderon stadium welcomed Lazio in Madrid but the Biancocelesti had a good travelling contingent supporting them.
Lazio were without suspended captain Alessandro Nesta and injured Giuseppe Pancaro and Paul Okon while the hosts were missing Kiko, also due to suspension.
Atletico were hoping to salvage a disappointing season tonight and predictably surged forward, pushed by the partisan crowd. The Spaniards attacked vigorously, Carlos Aguilera and Milinko Pantic were particularly active. Lazio however did not panic and defended well.
In fact the first real goal scoring chance came Lazio’s way. In the 12th minute a Pavel Nedved counterattack setup Diego Fuser, who galloped 30 metres before pulling his lob just wide.
That was the game pattern, Atletico attacking furiously and Lazio trying to control and strike on the break.
Between the 25th and 30th minute the "Colchoneros" had two chances with Christian Vieri, first with a header and then a shot.
In the 33rd minute the scoreline changed. A brilliant backheel by Alen Boksic reached Vladimir Jugovic. The Serb advanced ten metres and blasted a low shot from about 20 metres out. It was of surgical accuracy and settled in the right hand corner of the net. Atletico 0 Lazio 1.
As one could have expected, "Atleti" only intensified their raids on the Lazio area. The hosts had chances with Vizcaino, Jordi Lardin and Vieri but Luca Marchegiani was never caught off guard. Half time Atletico 0 Lazio 1.
The hosts had more possession and shots but Lazio were compact, well-organized and dangerous on the break.
The second half began again with Atletico going forward head down. Marchegiani made good saves on Vieri and Jordi Lardin and then an outstanding one on a Santi header. Lazio still threatened occasionally, as in the 67th minute when Fuser had a close range shot blocked by José Molina.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and went extremely close to equalising with a Pantic freekick which sailed just wide. Lazio had spaces on the break to definitely close the tie again with Fuser but were equally overjoyed with the 1-0 away victory when the English referee Durkin blew for full-time. Atletico Madrid 0 Lazio 1.
An intense, hard fought battle ending with a precious and prestigious win. Lazio had shown determination, balance, steady nerves and good tactical organization resulting in a clinical win.
The return leg promised to be another battle but Lazio had a one goal and home crowd advantage to look forward to. The game would be played without match winner Jugovic, Andrei and José Luis Caminero, all booked tonight and due for a one game suspension.
Who played for Atletico Madrid
Molina, Aguilera, Santi, Andrei, Prodan, Beijbl, Caminero, Pantic (86' Paunovic), Vizcaino (57' José Mari), Lardin (72' Nimny), Vieri
Substitutes: Jaro, Fede, Geli, Christian Diaz
Manager: Antic
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Grandoni, Chamot, Negro, Favalli, Fuser, Venturin, Jugovic, Nedved, Boksic (66' Casiraghi), Mancini (78' Gottardi)
Manager: Eriksson
Referee: Dunkin (England)
Goal: 33' Jugovic
Sources
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