Game 37, Serie A
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Brescia 2-0
A routine home win with goals by Correa and European top scorer Immobile
In Serie A Lazio seemed unstoppable, and were only one point behind Juventus, but then disaster struck and the Covid-19 crisis hit the world. On February 29 Lazio beat Bologna 2-0 at home but then would not play again until June 24, in surreal empty stadiums. Lockdown, social distancing, masks, documentation just to go shopping took over, and football and life in general were put on hold.
The league returned on June 24 but Lazio did not seem themselves and lost 3-2 away to Atalanta, despite leading 2-0. Lazio then won the next two (Fiorentina and Torino) but had then collapsed and lost the following three (Milan, Lecce and Sassuolo). There followed a 0-0 away draw at Udinese and a 2-1 away defeat at Juventus, the match which was supposed to be a title clash but obviously no longer was. Lazio were now 4th, the Scudetto dream had totally gone but now even a Champions League slot was at risk. Fortunately then Lazio beat Cagliari 2-1 at home and thumped Verona 5-1 away to clinch Champions League football.
Today’s match was the last home game but obviously there were no fans to say goodbye to. The main objective, apart from a final win, was to get Ciro Immobile to score so he could try to reach a record number of goals and win the European "Golden Boot". He was on 34 in Serie A (37 in total) while Gonzalo Higuain had scored 36 league goals in 2015-16.
The match
The game was dominated by Lazio from the start. Brescia however played with pride, were well organized and the keeper had a superb game. They gave Lazio a scare in the 10th minute when Ernesto Torregrossa had a free header from a corner but put it just over the bar.
Immobile had his first chance in the 14th minute when his shot from the edge of the box went just wide.
Lazio took the lead after 17 minutes. This time Immobile was the assist provider for Joaquin "El Tucu" Correa. After a one-two the Argentine danced past a few defenders and hammered in from close range. Lazio 1 Brescia 0.
Lazio were in complete control and had several more chances to score. Luis Alberto aimed for the low left-hand corner but Lorenzo Andrenacci somehow got there and saved into corner. Then Jony put in a perfect cross for an Immobile header but again the "Rondinelle" keeper flew to his left and denied the Lazio striker. Halftime Lazio 1 Brescia 0. Lazio cruising but still had not managed to get Immobile on the scoresheet.
The second half was similar with Lazio constantly forward but Brescia playing hard to break down.
Luis Alberto put Immobile one-on-one with the keeper but he curled it agonizingly close to the post. The visitors defended well and despite Lazio's pressure were stubbornly determined not to concede more.
In the 83rd minute however came what all Laziali were waiting for. Correa returned the favour to Immobile and teed him up with only the keeper to beat and this time King Ciro made no mistake. Lazio 2 Brescia 0 but maybe more importantly Immobile at 35 goals (one more than Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich).
Only at this point did Brescia seem to fall apart and Lazio had several more chances. On one Bobby Adekanye went alone but his shot was parried by Andrenacci and on the rebound Luis Alberto almost cracked the crossbar with a thundering strike. Then Immobile almost got a brace but was again denied by a good save. Final score Lazio 2 Brescia 0.
Three points, a last home win, an Immobile goal and heading for Champions League. All that was needed now was full stadiums again to bring back real football.
Who played for Lazio
Strakosha, Patric, Luiz Felipe (84' Vavro), Acerbi (87' Bastos), Lazzari (56' Marusic), Milinkovic-Savic, Parolo, Luis Alberto, Jony (56' Lukaku), Correa (84' Adekanye), Immobile
Manager: S. Inzaghi
Who played for Brescia
Andrenacci, Sabelli, Papetti, Gastaldello (77' Semprini), Mateju, Spalek, Viviani, Tonali, Zmrhal, Ayè (88' Ndoj), Torregrossa
Substitutes: Alfonso, Cistana, Chancellor, Mangraviti, Ghezzi
Manager: Diego López
Referee: Massimi
Goals: 17' Correa, 83' Immobile
Sources
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