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.
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 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 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 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 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
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