Game 4, Europa League Group Phase, Group D
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio FC Zurich 1-0
Second half replacement Cristian Brocchi livens Lazio up and gives European hope
Lazio had got through the Playoff defeating Macedonians Robotnički 9-1 on aggregate. In the group stage the Biancocelesti had played three; two draws (Romanians Vaslui 2-2 at home, FC Zurich 1-1 away) and lost one (Sporting Lisbon 2-1 away). Lazio had 2 points.
Lazio desperately needed a win against the Swiss if they wanted to have a chance of progressing in Europe.
The match
Only 15,000 turned up for this midweek European game. The 7 o'clock kick-off not convenient for many fans' working schedules. About 700 "Zürcher" fans had made the trip down from beyond the Alps.
Lazio rested Djibril Cissé, Cristian Brocchi, Abdoulay Konko and Hernanes (all on the bench with minor injuries). Zurich had Amine Chermiti on the bench while Adrian Nikci had been left in Switzerland.
Lazio started out on the attack but after only two minutes the visitors had a colossal chance. Alexandre Alphonse charged down the right and crossed for Yassine Chikhaoui unmarked in the middle, it took a brilliant Federico Marchetti save to keep the score level.
After this early scare Lazio settled and took charge. The Biancocelesti pushed forward and had several chances. Giuseppe Sculli headed high, Lorik Cana had a central shot blocked and Senad Lulic had a powerful effort saved into corner by the keeper.
Lazio had possession but midfielders were imprecise rarely managing to put more than a couple of passes together. Lazio’s midfield was muscular and physical but slow, lacking in skill and creativity. Zurich took advantage and often found space on the break.
Reja tried a tactical change inverting the wingers; Lulic on the left and Sculli on the right. Just before halftime came Lazio’s biggest chance. Miro Klose dribbled past three defenders but was anticipated at the last moment by Ricardo Rodriguez when he was about to shoot and probably score from close range. Half time Lazio 0 Zurich 0.
For the second half Reja replaced Senad Lulic with Brocchi and Klose with Cissé. Fischer was satisfied with how things were going.
Lazio therefore switched to a 4-3-3 formation. The new set up did not improve things, the midfield remained clumsy, without ideas and error strewn. The Swiss broke again with Alphonse who went solo and stormed through Lazio’s defence towards Marchetti, who had to come off his line and dive low to avert the threat.
At this point Lazio accelerated their game, especially thanks to Christian Brocchi's dynamism. The opportunities started to come but Cissé, Cristian Ledesma and Cana's shots went wide. The Italo-Argentinian in particular should have done better from a good position, even if his shot went extremely close to the post.
Lazio's increased sense of urgency paid off in the 62nd minute. After a back heel by Cissé, Brocchi tried his luck from outside the area, the ball took a slight deflection off Teixeira and beat Leoni. Lazio 1 Zurich 0.
Zurich now had to open up and go for an equaliser and this favoured Lazio. The home side had several chances to double their lead especially with Cissé but the Frenchman despite good running and positioning never managed to score.
Lazio's solid midfield was extremely efficient now and Zurich despite making three substitutions were rarely dangerous anymore. Final score Lazio 1 Zurich 0.
A fundamental win for Lazio. The Eagles had struggled in the first half but when they changed pace in the second the crucial goal had come.
In the other group match Vaslui had surprisingly beaten Sporting Lisbon so the new table read; Sporting 9, Lazio 5, Vaslui 5, Zurich 2. The next match up was Vaslui vs Lazio in Romania.
Who played for Lazio
Marchetti, Zauri (78' Konko), Diakité, Dias, Radu, Lulic (46' Brocchi), Cana, Ledesma, Sculli, Klose (46' Cissé), Rocchi
Manager: Reja
Who played for FC Zurich
Leoni, P. Kloch, Beda, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Mehmedi (65' Chermiti), Aegerter, Zouaghi, Djuric (76' Schoenbachler), Chikhaoui (61' Magnin), Alphonse
Substitutes: Guatelli, R. Koch, Barmettler, Buff
Manager: Fischer
Referee: Koukoulakis (Greece)
Goals: 62' Brocchi
Sources
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