Game 38, Serie A
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Hellas Verona 3-3
Lazio end season with a spectacular draw and finish above city rivals again
The season had been up and down but Lazio were in 5th place after 18 wins (including derby 3-2, Inter 3-1), 9 draws and 10 defeats (including derby 0-3). Lazio were already qualified for the Europa League but needed a point this evening to confirm their position and to finish above Roma.
The match
A pleasant and mild May evening brought about 55,000 spectators for this last match of the season.
Lazio were without Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto while Verona were missing defender Koray Gunter, suspended, plus midfielders Ivan Ilic and Antonin Barak both injured.
The first fifteen minutes were a nightmare for Lazio. Verona pressed high and moved in synchronised perfection and after 14 minutes were two nil up.
In the 6th minute an unmarked Giovanni "Cholito" Simeone headed in a Darko Lazovic cross from the left and in the 14th, Kevin Lasagna scored a brilliant goal with a long range shot which hit both posts before nestling into the net. Lazio 0 Verona 2 and a shock start for the Biancocelesti.
Fortunately for Lazio they pulled one back immediately to give themselves some hope. Mattia Zaccagni fed Felipe Anderson near the left by-line, the Brazilian pulled it back to Jovane Cabral who curled a right shot, with a slight deflection, into the top right-hand corner. Lazio 1 Verona 2. Lazio back in it.
In the 29th minute Lazio equalised. Anderson's initial left footed shot from the edge of the box was walled but if fell straight back to him nicely and this time he beat Alessandro Berardi with his right foot from near the penalty spot. Lazio 2 Verona 2. Half time all square.
Both sides made changes for the second period, Lazio brought on debutant Dimitrije Kamenovic for Luiz Felipe and Verona replaced Federico Ceccherini with Adrien Tameze, after already being forced to substitute injured Boško Šutalo with future Lazio Nicolò Casale on the half hour mark.
Within minutes of the restart the hosts also replaced Zaccagni with Pedro. It was the Spaniard who put Lazio in front in the 62nd minute. He teed up Anderson in front of goal but his shot was stopped by the keeper's foot, Pedro though had followed the move and tapped the ball in. Lazio 3 Verona 2. The turnaround was completed.
Verona however, were not willing to be passive observers of Lazio's local rivalry battle and equalised in the 76th minute. Martin Hongla combined well with Gianluca Caprari and raced into the area where he was anticipated by a sliding tackle, cutting out Thomas Strakosha, the ball then went towards the left by-line where it was passed back to Nongla for an easy finish near the goal line. Lazio 3 Verona 3.
The teams then seemed content with the draw even if Lazio went extremely close to winning it. From a corner Francesco Acerbi rose up and got the header but Berardi stretched to his left and with his fingertips pushed the ball onto the post. Final score, Lazio 3 Verona 3.
Lazio did not finish with a win but were pleased enough. The team then took a lap of honour to thank and say goodbye to the fans after a satisfactory season. There was particular sadness and tears for Lucas Leiva's farewell.
Who played for Lazio
Strakosha, Lazzari, Luiz Felipe (46' Kamenovic), Acerbi, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi (73' Leiva), Basic (79' Akpa Akpro), F. Anderson, Cabral (73' Romero), Zaccagni (48' Pedro)
Manager: Sarri
Who played for Verona
Berardi, Ceccherini (46' Tameze), Coppola, Sutalo (30' Casale), Faraoni, Hongla (85' Dawidowicz), Veloso, Lazovic, Lasagna, Caprari (85' De Paoli), Simeone (70' Bessa)
Substitutes: Chiesa, Montipò, Cancellieri, Frabotta, Retsos, Praszelik
Manager: Tudor
Referee: Colombo
Goals: 6' Simeone, 14' Lasagna, 16' Cabral, 29' F.Anderson, 62' Pedro, 76' Hongla
Sources
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