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Writer's pictureSimon Basten

A helping hand

Updated: Nov 4, 2023

Game 10, Serie A

October 30, 2023

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Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Fiorentina 1-0


A last second penalty gives Lazio their third consecutive win


The team


Maurizio Sarri made changes compared to those who played dismally in Holland last week. In defence Manuel Lazzari was chosen as right back with Adam Marusic on the left, Patric took Nicolò Casale’s place (he is currently injured and will not play for at least a month). At midfield Matteo Guendouzi was chosen ahead of Matias Vecino and Taty Castellanos was placed at the centre of the attack.


First half


Boring. The most interesting thing was to count the number of errors the Sky Italia commentator made mistaking Castellanos for Luis Alberto and seeing things that never happened. Luca Marchegiani, who was giving him a hand, tried to correct him once but then gave up.


On the pitch just two things to speak of. In the 12th minute Lazzari to Castellanos in the box. The Argentinian reached the byline and passed to Luis Alberto. Nikola Milenkovic intercepted but the ball still reached the Spaniard who from two metres turned around and shot but missed, hitting the side-netting.


After a goal disallowed by VAR in the 13th minute for handball, Fiorentina had a massive chance in the 17th when Alfred Duncan crossed into the area and Lucas Beltran headed the ball towards the goal but hit the woodwork.


Nothing more to say about the first half. A very tactical game, as they say when nothing happens.


Second half


Fiorentina made a change during the interval with Rolando Mandragora substituting Duncan.


The game continued to be boring just like the first but the Biancocelesti seemed a little more up-tempo. In the 58th minute Luis Alberto on the left moved into the box, crossed towards the centre for Felipe Anderson, back to the goal, but very close to the keeper. The Brazilian magically managed to turn around and shoot but Pietro Terracciano was miraculous.


More substitutions in the 63rd minute: M’Bala Nzola for Beltran, Antonin Barak for Giacomo Bonaventura and Danilo Cataldi for Nicolò Rovella.


The Fiorentina goalkeeper repeated himself in the 65th minute. Castellanos on the left moved the ball towards the opposite side for Felipe Anderson who passed to Luis Alberto in the area. His attempt was saved low by Terracciano with his left foot.


This was the last thing Luis Alberto did in this match. Immediately after he was substituted by Daichi Kamada. Also out Guendouzi and in came Vecino.


In the 70th minute Felipe Anderson, from a Kamada assist, ran into the box. He did not shoot with his right foot and tried his left but it was walled by the Fiorentina defence. His subsequent attempted volley ended up in the stands.


At this point Vincenzo Italiano changed his playmaker: out went Arthur and in came Maxime Lopez. More substitutions followed in the 77th minute: Ciro Immobile for Castellanos, Pedro for Mattia Zaccagni, Luca Ranieri for Cristiano Biraghi.


In the 83rd minute Vecino tried a shot from the right but it went wide. In the 89th minute bad pass from Pedro to Cataldi, the Italian was challenged by Maxime Lopez who stole the ball and tried a shot from a favourable position, no problem for Ivan Provedel.


Last second of the match. Pedro crossed inside the box, Vecino headed the ball towards the goal, Milenkovic intercepted with his hand, penalty. King Ciro made no mistake and Lazio took home the three points overtaking the other team from Rome.



Who played for Lazio


Provedel, Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic, Guendouzi (67` Kamada), Rovella (63` Cataldi), Luis Alberto (67` Vecino), Felipe Anderson, Castellanos (77` Immobile), Zaccagni (77` Pedro). Substitutes: Sepe, Mandas, Gila, Pellegrini, Hysaj, Basic, Isaksen.

Manager: Sarri


Who played for Fiorentina


Terracciano, Parisi, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi (79` Ranieri), Arthur (71` Maxime Lopez), Duncan (46` Mandragora), Ikonè, Bonaventura (62` Barak), Gonzalez, Beltran (62` Nzola).

Substitutes: Christensen, Martinelli, Sottil, Infantino, Mina, Comuzzo, Pierozzi, Amatucci, Brekalo, Kouamè.

Manager: Italiano.


Referee: Marcenaro


Goal: 90+5’ Immobile (pen)


Booked: Lazzari (L), Duncan (F), Rovella (L), Ikonè (F), Bonaventura (F), Zaccagni (L)

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