Game 17, Serie A
Saturday December 21, 2024
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Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce
Lecce-Lazio 1-2
With a great Marusic goal three minutes from time Lazio secure ugly victory
The team
After the shock defeat against Inter in the previous game, Lazio were called to a reaction. Marco Baroni, not having any mid week games for the first time in months, was able to field a possibly rested weekend team. Lecce has always been a difficult pitch for the Biancocelesti; Lazio had lost all three last games at Lecce, after going ahead every time. A trend to be changed.
First half
Lazio started well and in the 7th minute had a chance with Manuel Lazzari after a low cross from the left from Nuno Tavares, but his shot from outside the box was saved by Wladimiro Falcone. In the 14th minute Lecce took a corner, Alessio Romangoli cleared, Tete Morente at the edge of the penalty area tried a spectacular volley which Ivan Provedel parried with his fists.
In the 26th minute, Taty Castellanos to Boulaye Dia, stopped by Federico Baschirotto, Gustav Isaksen tried a header which was walled by Lassana Coulibaly, Lazzari got to the ball and shot but it went wide. Three minutes later on the counter attack Castellanos gave a splendid ball to Isaksen who ran towards the box faced by Baschirotto, he tried a shot which was well saved by Falcone. In the 42nd minute Castellanos volleyed a ball from outside the penalty area, another good save from the Lecce keeper.
In the 45th minute, Isaksen crossed from the right, Nicolò Rovella passed to Taty in front of Falcone. His first shot was saved by Falcone, on the rebound he tried again, this time it was saved by Frederic Guilbert on the line but with his hand. Penalty for Lazio and red card for the Lecce defender. Castellanos took the spotkick and the Biancocelesti went ahead.
A good first half from Lazio.
Second half
Lecce, who had not played badly in the first 45 minutes, despite now being in ten men, came out much more aggressive. The Biancocelesti did not expect this. In the 50th minute Hamza Rafia crossed into the box, the Lazio defence cleared, Patrick Dorgu tried a volley from outside the penalty box walled by the defence, in came Morente who tried another volley, a low clinical shot to Provedel's right and it was 1-1.
Lazio went into total confusion. Completely unable to create anything dangerous. Lecce changed Nikola Krstovic and Rafia for Ante Rebic and Balthazar Pierret, Lazio threw in first Pedro for Dia and then Luca Pellegrini and Loum Tchaouna for Nuno Tavares and Isaksen. The Biancocelesti still had problems, more psychological than technical. Loads of mistakes in the build up play. In the 83rd minute, Tijani Noslin and Adam Marusic replaced Mattia Zaccagni and Lazzari.
In the 87th minute Pedro crossed from the left, the Lecce defence cleared, Marusic tried a Morente and, like with the Lecce forward, what came out was a low clinical shot that Falcone could not stop. 2-1 for Lazio.
It was not over yet. The Biancocelesti retreated back in defence and Lecce surged forward. In the fourth minute of injury time there was a free kick in the Lecce half. Baschirotto sent a long cross into the box. Rebic got to the ball and turned around. He crossed, Mohamed Kaba in complete solitude headed the ball onto the crossbar, Santiago Pierotti had a simple tap in chance but his volley went out.
Lazio breathed a sigh of relief and took the three points. Not a good second half from the Biancocelesti, but a win is a win.
Who played for Lecce
Falcone, Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean (90'+2' Sansone), Dorgu, Coulibaly, Berisha (79' Kaba), Rafia (60' Pierret), Pierotti, Krstovic (60' Rebic), Morente
Substitutes: Fruchtl, Samooja, Borbei, Oudin, Helgason, Ramadani, Bonifazi, Burnete, Marchwinski, Hasa
Manager: Giampaolo
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Lazzari (83' Marusic), Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares (70' Pellegrini), Guendouzi, Rovella, Isaksen (70' Tchaouna), Dia (64' Pedro), Zaccagni (83' Noslin), Castellanos
Substitutes: Mandas, Furlanetto, Gigot, Patric, Dele-Bashiru, Castrovilli
Manager: Baroni
Referee: Manganiello
Goals: 45'+2' Castellanos (pen), 50' Morente, 87' Marusic
Bookings: Dorgu (Le), Rebic (Le), Tchaouna (La), Ramadani (Le)
Red card: Guilbert (Le)
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