Game 7, Europa League Group Phase
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Real Sociedad 3-1
Lazio demolish Real Sociedad and qualify directly for the Europa League round of 16 with one game to go
The team
Big problems for Marco Baroni with Patric, Matias Vecino and Manuel Lazzari injured, Luca Pellegrini and Samuel Gigot suspended. Not much of a choice as far as the line-up was concerned.
The match
Real Sociedad immediately, and predictably, took control of the game with Lazio very cautious. But in the 5th minute the Biancocelesti went ahead. Free kick from the left, Nuno Tavares crossed, a defender tried to clear but the ball went up in the air, Taty Castellanos managed to head it towards Mario Gila who with a volley scored his first European goal.
The Basques continued to play as if nothing had happened but the Biancocelesti went very close to their second. In the 14th minute Gustav Isaksen found Boulaye Dia in the box who dribbled past a defender and then in front of the keeper tried to beat him but Alex Remiro parried into corner. On the corner kick, Nuno Tavares crossed, Castellanos headed the ball towards the goal, Brais Mendez saved on the line, Gila tried a tap in but hit the woodwork.
In the 22nd minute Takefusa Kubo to Luka Susic on the edge of the box on the right, curling shot, post. Great effort but unlucky.
The game changer arrived in the 30th minute when Aihen Muñoz got his second yellow card for his second foul on Isaksen. Two minutes later Isaksen-Nuno Tavares one-two, the Dane did not control well but went for the ball and got there first. He passed towards the centre for Mattia Zaccagni who comfortably had the time to aim and give Lazio the double lead.
Which became 3-0 two minutes later. Nino Tavares crossed and Castellanos headed the ball in.
The game finished here. Real Sociedad in the second half decided to freeze the score by playing 5-4-0 and the Lazio players passed the ball around not really wanting to waste energy.
Only three things to note: Pedro hit the crossbar from close range in the 76th minute, Mahamadou Balde's professional debut and Real Sociedad’s goal in the 82nd minute by Ander Barrenetxea with the Biancoceleste defence sleeping.
A great win for Lazio, now certain of qualification for the round of 16. The only snag was the injury to Nuno Tavares who will be out of action for a few weeks.
Who played for Lazio
Mandas, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares (43' Dele-Bashiru), Guendouzi, Rovella, Isaksen (55' Noslin), Dia (76' Balde), Zaccagni (55' Tchaouna), Castellanos (46' Pedro)
Substitutes: Provedel, Furlanetto, Zazza
Manager: Baroni
Who played for Real Sociedad
Remiro, Aramburu, Zubimendi (46' Elustondo), Aguerd (70' Pacheco), Muñoz, Kubo (46' Barrenetxea), Zubimendi, Mendez (35' Lopez), Oyarzabal (46' Marin), Sucic, Becker
Substitutes: Marrero, Odriozola, Oskarsson, Olasagasti, Gomez, Turrientes, Martin
Manager: Alguacil
Referee: Visser (Belgium)
Goals: 5’ Gila, 32’ Zaccagni, 34’ Castellanos, 82’ Barrenetxea
Yellow card: Rovella (L), Muñoz (R), Zubimendi (R), Zaccagni (L)
Red card: Muñoz (R)
Comments