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Season 2009-10

Europa League, Playoff Round

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio IF Elfsborg 3-0

Lazio destroy Elfsborg and now the Europa League group phase is just around the corner

Before the start of Serie A, Lazio had to play a Europa League preliminary round against Swedish team IF Elfsborg.

The match: Thursday, August 20, 2009, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio started strongly and immediately a Mauro Zarate shot was only just wide. He tried again in the 9th minute but this time the Swedish goalkeeper blocked comfortably. In the 13th minute Elfsborg hit the woodwork with Denni Avdic. The Biancocelesti continued to attack and scored in the 24th minute. Aleksandar Kolarov, from the far left side close to the corner flag, instead of crossing shot at goal thus surprising Ante Covic. 1-0 for Lazio.

In the 36th minute Zarate scored one of his classic goals. Just like he had done in the derby and against Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia final, Maurito got the ball on the left, dribbled past a couple of players and then from outside the box shot at goal aiming for the far post. 2-0 for Lazio. A minute later Julio Cruz had a chance to make it three on a Cristian Brocchi assist but his shot went wide.

In the second half Fernando Muslera had to save a couple of dangerous shots from Helgi Danielsson but Lazio made it three in the 69th minute. Zarate saw Stefano Mauri moving into the box on the left and sent a lob to him over the Swedish defence. The Lazio midfield player stopped the ball with his chest and volleyed it in.

Elfsborg tried to give themselves a chance for qualification but Sebastiano Siviglia saved a Stefan Ishizaki shot on the line and a final attempt from Avdic went wide.

Lazio almost in the Group stage of the Europa League.

Who played for Lazio

Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov, Brocchi, Baronio, Matuzalèm (58’ Dabo), Mauri (85’ Diakité), Cruz, Zarate (75’ Eliseu)