Game 29, Serie A
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Spezia 2-1
Lazio conquer eighth consecutive home win despite superb but short lived Spezia equaliser
Lazio had made some changes to the squad in the summer but the majority of the new players were proving to be disappointing. The Biancocelesti were seventh in Serie A, six points awy from Champions League qualification.
Today's opposition Spezia were in their first historic season in Serie A.
Lazio were favourites today but Spezia were holding their own and playing good football.
The match
The stadium was empty as usual due to Covid 19 restrictions and there was also a minute's silence for Lazio youth player Daniele Guerini, who had died tragically in a car crash.
Lazio were initially without Luis Alberto, on the bench due to a slight injury, but Stefan Radu was present, becoming Lazio’s record man for appearances, 402.
The first half was reasonably balanced. Lazio attacked more but Spezia were well organized, their full-backs played high up field and the whole team used an incessant pressing.
Lazio's biggest chance fell to Joaquin Correa but after an assist by Ciro Immobile his penalty in motion went over the bar. Spezia had a central Emmanuel Gyasi shot saved by Pepe Reina and above all Giulio Maggiore had a close range free header but somehow managed to miss and send it high. Half time Lazio 0 Spezia 0.
Lazio started the second half a bit brighter. In the 52nd minute Luis Alberto replaced Andreas Pereira and added some creativity. Correa wasted a huge chance when, with only the keeper to beat, he pushed the ball slightly too far forward and had his shot saved. In the 56th minute, however, Lazio took the lead. Lucas Leiva won the ball in midfield and then Sergej Milinkovic-Savic put Manuel Lazzari through on goal, he pushed the ball forward and beat the keeper with a low chip. Lazio 1 Spezia 0.
Lazio seemed in control but a moment of brilliance changed the score. In the 73rd minute Gyasi won a fifty-fifty ball on the left wing (possibly irregularly) and put in a cross. The ball reached Daniele Verde just inside the area and he coordinated himself perfectly and put an amazing left-footed bicycle kick in the top right hand corner. A goal of rare beauty by the former Roma youth sector player, who had only been on the field three minutes. If a similar goal had been scored by a more well-known player it would have been all over the evening news. Lazio 1 Spezia 1.
The last fifteen minutes saw Lazio press Spezia back but the Liguri seemed to be absorbing Lazio’s attacks well until the 89th minute. On a Lazio corner, Marchizza handballed. He had lost his balance and was not even looking at the ball but his arm was a little wide. After a VAR check the spot kick was awarded. Maybe slightly harsh and a penalty you definitely would not like to be blown against you. As it was, and as you do, Lazio accepted it and Felipe Caicedo slotted it in, confirming himself as a late goal maestro. Lazio 2 Spezia 1. Game over? Far from it.
The referee gave seven minutes of additional time and in the 96th minute a brawl broke out after a dirty foul by Kevin Agudelo on Lazzari. When things calmed down they were both booked, the Spezia player for the foul and Lazzari for his reaction. Unfortunately the Lazio defender was already on a yellow, so he was off. A minute later Correa was also sent off for a second yellow so Lazio had to defend the last seconds with 9 men. There was luckily only time for a couple of long balls from the visitors and Lazio brought home a precious, hard fought win. Lazio 2 Spezia 1.
Lazio had not been at their best. Milinkovic-Savic and Immobile seemed tired after international duties and the three points had been won thanks to a lucky incident rather than a convincing performance. Lazio however took the points and were now only 4 points off the Champions League slot.
Spezia had played well and shown they had the means to avoid relegation. They certainly scored one of the best goals in their history today.
Who played for Lazio
Reina, Marusic, Acerbi, Radu, Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic (72' Akpa Akpro), Leiva (77' Cataldi), Pereira (52' Luis Alberto), Lulic (52' Fares), Correa, Immobile (72' Caicedo)
Manager: S. Inzaghi
Who played for Spezia
Zoet, Ferrer, Erlic, Chabot, Bastoni (65' Marchizza), Leo Sena (70' Agudelo), Ricci, Maggiore (65' Agoume), Gyasi, Piccoli (70' Nzola), Farias (70' Verde)
Substitutes: Provedel, Ismajli, Capradossi, Terzi, Vignali, Pobega, Galabinov
Manager: Italiano
Referee: Giua
Goals: 56' Lazzari, 73' Verde, 89' Caicedo (pen)
Sources
Comments