Europa League, Round of 32, Second Leg
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0
With two first half goals Lazio wrap up tie without excessive difficulty
A decent 35,000 crowd turned up for this Thursday evening clash, with at least 5/6,000 Germans in Curva Sud.
Lazio were without defender André Dias, midfielder Stefano Mauri and striker Miro Klose.
Lazio were more than pleased to let themselves be attacked by the visitors and then to try and punish them on the break. Sergio Floccari was Lazio’s only striker with Antonio Candreva and Senad Lulic on the wings and a crowded midfield made up of Hernanes, "El Tata" Gonzalez and Cristian Ledesma.
The Biancocelesti had started their European campaign in a play-off in August beating Slovenians Mura 5-1 on aggregate.
Then came the group phase with Tottenham, Maribor and Panathinaikos. Lazio won 3 (Maribor 1-0, Panathinaikos 3-0, at home and Maribor 1-4 away) and drew 3 (Tottenham both 0-0 and Panathinaikos 1-1 away).
In the last 32 the Biancocelesti had to play Germans Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The first leg in Germany, on February 14, ended up 3-3. It was an exciting game. "Die Elf vom Niederrhein" (The team of the Lower Rhine) took the lead through a penalty, Sergio Floccari equalised, Libor Kozak put Lazio in front before Gladbach scored two late goals to seemingly win the tie but a 94th minute Kozak goal gave Lazio a precious high scoring draw.
Now a week later came the return leg in Rome. Lazio were considered slight favourites as they only needed a draw (except the unlikely case of a 4-4, 5-5 etc) but German sides were competitive and known never to give up. The Germans were also bringing a good number of traveling fans (a trip to Rome is always appealing).
The match
Lazio took the lead after only ten minutes. Borussia were tapping it about in their own half when Álvaro Dominguez messed up a basic ball control and was dispossessed by Antonio Candreva who ran straight towards goal and beat Ter Stegen with a low shot to his left. Lazio 1 Borussia MGB 0.
A perfect start for Lazio as now the Germans needed two unanswered goals to qualify.
The "Die Mythen" reaction was far from fierce and in the 14th minute Senad Lulic forced Ter Stegen to dive low to his right to save the Bosnian's low, long range shot into corner.
The Germans showed none of their characteristic fighting spirit and in the 33rd minute Lazio scored again. Stefan Radu ran forward on the left and skilfully freed himself for a shot from the edge of the box, the keeper dived low and parried but Alvaro Gonzalez was quickest to the rebound and lunging forward put the ball in the roof of the net. Lazio 2 Borussia MGB 0.
Lazio were cruising, the visitors now needed three goals but there was already the sensation it was not going to happen.
Lazio controlled the game and halftime came without them running any risks.
There were no changes during the break but in the 52nd minute Amin Younes came on for Juan Arango.
It was still Lazio with the chances. In the 59th minute Candreva tried his luck from 30 metres out but his blistering shot was just wide.
In the 66th minute Gladbach finally showed signs of life when a powerful low strike by Martin Stranzl was blocked low by Federico Marchetti.
In the 68th minute Favre tried to change things by throwing on Mike Hanke for Tolga Ciğerci while a minute later Vladimir Petkovic substituted Gonzalez with Eddy Onazi.
The game went flat with Lazio more than content to slow things down and Borussia unable to threaten.
More substitutions came for both sides, in the 78th minute Granit Xhaka came on for Thorben Marx while, in the 78th and 82nd, Libor Kozak and Bruno Pereirinha replaced Floccari and Candreva.
The game however had nothing more to say. Not even the Germans believed anymore and the game ended with Lazio two nil winners.
A surprisingly easy win for Lazio against decent Bundesliga opposition. The tie was virtually decided after just over half an hour. Lazio then controlled and qualified for the next round without any real worries.
Next up, another German club, VfB Stuttgart.
Who played for Lazio
Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Cana, Radu, Candreva (82' Pereirinha), A. Gonzalez (69' Onazi), Ledesma, Hernanes, Lulic, Floccari (78' Kozak)
Manager: Petkovic
Who played for Borussia MGB
Ter Stegen, Stranzl, Jantschke, Dominguez, Wendt, Ciğerci (68' Hanke), Marx (78' Xhaka), Nordtveit, Herrmann, De Jong, Arango (52' Younes)
Substitutes: Heimeroth, Daems, Brouwers, Rupp
Manager: Favre
Referee: Göçek (Turkey)
Goals: 10' Candreva, 33' Gonzalez
Sources
Hozzászólások