Lazio overturn Genoa and reach holy grail of 40 points

Season 2009-10

Game 35, Serie A

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa

Genoa Lazio 1-2

A convincing performance and a superb Floccari ease Lazio's worries

Serie A had started well ... for 2 matches. Lazio beat Atalanta and Chievo but then failed to win another match until December 13 (Genoa 1-0). Things had got so bad that manager Davide Ballardini was sacked in February after a home defeat by Catania. In came veteran Edy Reja and Lazio won the first match 2-0 away at Parma but then only got one point in the next 4 games. Since then a win at Cagliari, a win against Siena, an away point at Milan, a point versus Napoli and a 3-2 away win at Bologna had lifted Lazio's fears a little.

A week earlier however Lazio had undeservedly lost the derby 2-1 to Roma. To make matters worse Roma were top of the table with only 4 matches to go. Lazio needed something out of today's game to not risk undoing their previous good work. The next match would be against Inter, Roma's rivals for the title, and Lazio certainly did not want to be reduced to having to win that at all costs (for its difficulty but also for city rivalry issues).

The match

On a warm spring day, a crowd of 26,000 were present at the former Marassi.

Lazio came into today's game without Cristian Ledesma and Aleksander Kolarov both suspended following the previous week's derby. They were replaced by Roberto Baronio and Simone Del Nero.

Genoa started strongly, controlling possession and with quick forays down the wings. The Rossoblu took the lead after only eight minutes. A free kick from the edge of the box was taken quickly and surprised Lazio, who were still organizing their wall, the ball came to Rodrigo Palacio whose low, angled shot from outside the area beat a slightly hesitant Fernando Muslera. Genoa 1 Lazio 0.

Lazio reacted well however to this early setback. They started defending higher and with a constant pressing put the home side on the back foot. Stefano Mauri had a powerful long range volley go just wide and then Lazio equalised. In the 25th minute, from a Baronio corner, André Dias rose higher than anyone in a crowded area and his strong header beat Alessio Scarpi. Genoa 1 Lazio 1.

Genoa lost Emiliano Moretti through injury a minute later, replaced by Giandomenico Mesto. Lazio started to find inviting open spaces on the break and went ahead in the 32nd minute. A collective defensive indecision was exploited by Sergio Floccari who squeezed between two defenders and poked home Lazio’s second. Genoa 1 Lazio 2. An impressive turnaround by Lazio.

A chance for Raffaele Palladino well saved by Muslera was followed by a classic counter foot by Lazio. Floccari, a constant threat to his former teammates, skilfully beat an opponent just over midfield and surged 20 metres towards goal then feeding Tommaso Rocchi, who had made a cutting run eluding the central defenders, the Venetian striker's shot however hit the crossbar and went over. Lazio then scored a third but Rocchi's tap-in after a Floccari shot was judged offside. Lazio’s defence with Dias and Stefan Radu on top form then kept Genoa at bay until the halftime whistle. Genoa 1 Lazio 2. A promising first 45 minutes by the Biancocelesti.

In the second half Genoa pushed for an equaliser but lacked ideas and were well absorbed by a determined and hard battling Lazio. The visitor's manager Reja was sent off for dissent in the 65th minute but Lazio’s task was made a lot easier four minutes later when Genoa defender Salvatore Bocchetti was also given his marching orders.

At this point an already subdued home side lost vigour and Lazio played out the game without running excessive risks. The "Grifone's" only big chance came on a Domenico Criscito close range header but it went straight into Muslera's arms. Genoa then only had some half chances, corners and scrambles in the area but Lazio ultimately brought home a deserved and crucial win. Genoa 1 Lazio 2.

Lazio now had a six point cushion on third bottom Atalanta, with only three games to go. Maybe they could even afford to lose against Inter the following week ... (admitting they realistically had much choice in the matter).

Who played for Genoa

Scarpi, Sokratis, Moretti (26' Mesto), Bocchetti, Tomovic (50' Fatic), Milanetto, Juric, Criscito, Palacio, Acquafresca, Palladino (61' Sculli)

Substitutes: Amelia, El Shaarawy, Boakye, Zapater

Manager: Gasperini

Who played for Lazio

Muslera, Biava, Dias, Radu, Lichtsteiner, Brocchi, Baronio, Mauri, Del Nero (90' Siviglia), Rocchi (66' Zarate), Floccari (75'Cruz)