Game 24, Serie A
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Udinese 3-0
It proved to be almost too easy for Lazio to conquer their 6th consecutive win.
Despite a shock defeat in Ferrara against Spal, the Biancocelesti had made a solid start to 2019-20. They had 27 points lying 3rd in the table and had even ended a 30-year winless jinx away to Milan winning 2-1. Their only other defeat had come against Inter and after a turning point draw against Atalanta at home (from 0-3 to 3-3) they approached the Udinese game with 5 consecutive wins under their belts.
The match
The fixture was played at a classic 3 o'clock kick-off time, in front of a 30,000 crowd. The visitors presented themselves at the Olimpico with a very defensive 5-3-2 formation almost inviting Lazio to attack. Lazio did just that and Luis Alberto almost scored immediately from a free kick palmed away from the top hand corner by keeper Juan Musso. The goal was on the way however and came after only 9 minutes thanks to Ciro Immobile. It was set up by Sergej Milinkovic -Savic who chested the ball down in the area and with a clever left-footed pass pushed it back to Immobile who, with a low left foot, beat Musso. Udinese did then have a chance of their own but Rolando Mandragora pulled his shot just wide.
At the other end Argentine Joaquin Correa was unstoppable and causing havoc in the Udinese defence. They had to resort to repeated fouls to block him and in the space of 10 minutes between the 36th and 46th “El Tucu” Correa won 2 clear penalties to close the game. The first was put away by Immobile while the second he graciously conceded to Luis Alberto who coolly slotted his penalty in, almost in identical fashion to the striker's. Lazio were already 3-0 up at half time.
In the second half Lazio had further chances, in particular with a Senad Lulic header and with Correa, but the game had already been won and Udinese's tame approach resulted in a slow paced, easy 45 minutes for Lazio.
Another 3 points for Lazio. They were winning games and playing excellent, entertaining football. Everything seemed to be clicking; the defence led by Francesco Acerbi was solid, the midfield had the strength of Lucas Leiva and the creativity of Luis Alberto and Milinkovic-Savic, Manuel Lazzari was rampant on his wing and the attack was on fire with Immobile and Correa on top form.
Who played for Lazio
Strakosha, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu, Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva (73' Cataldi), Luis Alberto (79' A. Anderson), Lulic (64' Jony), Correa, Immobile.
Manager: Inzaghi
Who played for Udinese
Musso, Becao, Ekong, Nuytinck, Srygger Larsen, Mandragora, Walace (76' Barak), De Paul (59' Fofana), Samir, Nestorovski, Okaka (81' Teodorczyk)
Substitutes: Nicolas, Perisan, Sierralta, Opoku, Ter avest, De Maio, Kubala, Lasagna, Pussetto
Manager: Gotti
Referee: Di Bello
Goals: 9' Immobile, 36' Immobile (pen), 46' Luis Alberto (pen)
Sources
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