Lazio demolish Napoli

Season 2010-11

Game 12, Serie A

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Napoli 2-0

A goal from Floccari and one from Zarate kill off Napoli and give the Biancocelesti first place.

Lazio had been top with a 4 point lead but the very controversial loss against Roma and the bad defeat against Cesena the week before today's match, had dampened enthusiasm.

The match

The game got off to a slow start and in the first ten minutes the only thing that happened was a tame shot by Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 8th minute. And then Mauro Zarate came to life. He had not scored at the Olimpico for 14 months but today he looked particularly inspired.

In the 15th minute Stefano Mauri sent in a wonderful pass over the Napoli defence. Zarate was too fast for anyone and put it on the far side, beating De Sanctis. Wonderful goal and 1-0 for Lazio.

After going ahead Lazio pulled back a bit and Napoli took over. In the 28th minute Mauro Lavezzi hit the crossbar after Hassan Yebdah had two shots walled by the Lazio defence. The Biancocelesti tried to ease the pressure and there was a probable penalty ignored by the referee in the 32nd minute. Sergio Floccari took advantage of a ricochet and was fouled from behind by Gianluca Grava with only De Sanctis to beat. Not according to the referee Mauro Bergonzi.

In the second half Lazio put their foot on the accelerator and in the 61st minute scored again. Hernanes was fouled outside the area, the ball however fell to Zarate who passed it to Floccari unmarked in the centre of the penalty box. Too easy for Sergione and 2-0.

Lazio were on fire. Zarate’s shot in the 67th minute was saved into corner by the Napoli goalkeeper. Napoli tried a comeback but the Biancocelesti almost made it three, again thanks to Zarate. His shot from outside the penalty box hit the crossbar in the 77th minute.

Lazio took the three points and were back in second place.

Who played for Lazio

Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Biava, Dias, Radu, Brocchi (39’ Matuzalem), Ledesma, Hernanes, Mauri (74’ Bresciano), Zarate, Floccari (86’ Garrido)