Lazio Force 5

Season 2017-18

Round of 32, Europa League, Second Leg

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Steaua București 5-1

An Immobile hat-trick and goals from Bastos and Felipe Anderson take Lazio to the next round of Europa League

In Europa League Lazio sailed through the group stage winning the first four games and securing a place in the knockout round early. In the round of 32 Lazio was paired with Steaua București, or FCSB as they are known now. Lazio lost 1-0 in Romania but had a lot of chances to score. It was not going to be easy, but there was optimism for the return match.

The match

Lazio started the game very strongly and after a missed chance in the 6th minute with Ciro Immobile (Felipe Anderson for Ciro who shot high in front of Andrei Vlad) but a minute later Lazio were already ahead. Senad Lulic on the left crossed in on the far post. Ciro stopped the ball with his chest and sent it under the crossbar.

Steaua had an immediate chance to equalise but Constantin Budescu’s shot was too high. Lazio should have made it two with Marco Parolo in the 18th minute. Great pass from Lulic, but Parolo, unmarked in front of the goalkeeper, kicked the ball on Vlad’s chest. Almost as bad as Immobile a minute later. Splendid assist from Felipe Anderson in the box to Ciro, unmarked, but his shot went into the stratosphere. Third squandered chance in the 21st minute. Lucas Leiva for Immobile who dribbled past the goalkeeper but shot wide.

Lazio had to substitute Martin Caceres due to injury and in came Bastos. In the 34th minute a Felipe Anderson shot from outside the penalty box was lifted over the crossbar by Vlad. Corner for Lazio. Luis Alberto took it, splendid header from Bastos to give Lazio the 2-0 and momentary qualification.

In the 43rd minute Lazio made it three. Again Felipe Anderson on the left, ball to Immobile who clinically scored with a shot on the far post. Steaua now needed to score two goals to go to the next round.

Could things get worse for the Romanians? Yes. Long run by Felipe Anderson in the 51st minute who once in front of the goal, outside the penalty box but central, decided to take a shot, impossible for Vlad to save. 4-0.

Steaua had a chance three minutes later when Lulic made a mistake clearing. He passed the ball to Florinel Coman who quickly shot towards the goal only to hit the woodwork. Lulic tried to make up for his mistake but was unable to convert a great assist from Immobile in the 56th minute.

In the 71st the final work of art. Another Felipe Anderson foray into the box, ball to Immobile who faked a shot, goalkeeper and defender fell for it (literally), and Ciro slowly deposited the ball into the open goal. Magnificent.

In the end some glory also for Steaua. Great ball from Coman to Harlem Gnohéré, the Frenchman’s shot bounced off Thomas Strakosha, hit the Steaua player and went in. 5-1 game over.

Who played for Lazio

Strakosha, Patric, de Vrij, Caceres (26’ Bastos), Basta, Parolo, Leiva, Luis Alberto (67’ Murgia), Lulic, Felipe Anderson, Immobile