Game 24, Serie A
Monday, December 16, 2019
Sardegna Arena, Cagliari
Cagliari Lazio 1-2
Caicedo gives Lazio their eighth consecutive win in a dramatic last second win.
It is difficult to write about this game. It was probably one of the most exciting and dramatic games in Lazio’s history.
After an initial chance for Immobile in the 2nd minute, Cagliari went ahead in the 8th minute. Charis Lykogiannis’ throw in was headed towards the centre of the box by Joao Pedro and Giovanni Simeone anticipated a slow Francesco Acerbi and made it 1-0. Shock start for Lazio but the fans were confident there would be a rapid turnaround. But Lazio was mentally drained after the Juventus match and just could not get to grips with a very solid Cagliari team.
With two minutes to go to the end of the first half Lazio had their second opportunity. A Luis Alberto free kick crossed the entire Cagliari defence but Senad Lulic could not make any contact. A couple of minutes later Radja Nainggolan went off all alone on a counter attack, got past Acerbi pretty comfortably and was alone in front of Thomas Strakosha who miraculously saved the former Roma player’s shot. The subsequent corner saw Joao Pedro’s header again saved by the Lazio goalkeeper and the next corner would put Simeone in a position for a simple tap in but he somehow managed to send the ball wide
Lazio woke up in the second half and in the 50th minute two Immobile headers were saved on the line by the Cagliari defence. In the 73rd minute there was a comedy of errors. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was clearly pushed inside the penalty box but the referee said play on, ball to Simeone in Lazio’s half who pulled down Manuel Lazzari, the players almost stopped waiting for the ref’s whistle but he again said play on, ball went to Nainggolan who passed to Cagliari’s centre-forward unmarked in front of Strakosha but kicked the ball over the cross bar. Four minutes later Joao Pedro had another chance but Acerbi blocked his effort.
The referee gave seven minutes of injury time, Lazio still had hope. Cagliari were on their knees and Lazio took advantage. In the 91st minute Acerbi crossed for Milinkovic-Savic, a Cagliari defender touched the ball with his hand but Luis Alberto was quicker than the ref and his volley gave Lazio an equaliser. Game over? No. Lazio continued to attack and there were loads of crosses in the penalty box that Cagliari had trouble controlling.
Could Lazio win this? It was the 97th minute. The ref gave an extra 30 seconds of injury time due to a Cagliari substitution. Luis Alberto’s long pass found Lazzari. His immediate cross was sent out of the penalty box by a Cagliari defender and Jony gained possession. His perfect cross was headed by Felipe Caicedo into the net. Lazio fans all over the world went crazy!!!
Lazio took the three points, their eighth consecutive win and were only three points behind the leaders. Could this be Lazio’s year?
Who played for Cagliari
Rafael, Cacciatore, Klavan, Pisacane, Lykogiannis, Nandez, Cigarini (80' Oliva), Ionita (83' Faragò), Nainggolan (90'+4' Deiola), Joao Pedro, Simeone.
Substitutes: Aresti, Ciocci, Pinna, Mattiello, Pellegrini, Walukievicz, Cerri, Ragatzu.
Manager: Maran.
Who played for Lazio
Strakosha, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu (80’ Caicedo), Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva (64’ Cataldi), Luis Alberto, Lulic (56’ Jony), Correa, Immobile
Manager: Inzaghi
Referee: Maresca
Goals: 8’ Simeone, 90’+3’ Luis Alberto, 90’+8’ Caicedo
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