Late Negro goal gives Lazio deserved draw

Season 2002-03

Game 23, Serie A

Sunday, March 2, 2003

Stadio Renato Curi, Perugia

Perugia Lazio 2-2

A Paolo Negro strike almost at the death gives Lazio a well-earned point in Perugia.

After losing Alessandro Nesta and Hernan Crespo in the last days of the summer transfer window, new manager Roberto Mancini had to reinvent the team and he did a really good job. They struggled at home, but this was compensated by a good number of away wins. The season looked promising. At one point, Lazio were top of the table after recovering from a 0-2 deficit and winning 3-2 at Piacenza. But in the next match against Inter they only managed to draw 3-3 after being 3-0 up after the first half. Not to worry, Mancini’s boys then managed to win in Turin against Juventus. At the end of the first part of the season Lazio were joint second with Inter and just three points behind Juve.

But that had been Lazio’s last win. Since then, in 5 games the Biancocelesti had only managed four draws and any hopes of battling for the scudetto had faded. Lazio were now fourth, 8 points behind leaders Juventus and Inter. There was however still hope for a Champions League qualification.

The match

On a rainy day in Perugia, Lazio hoped that this game would give them their first win since January’s match against Udinese. The start however was not promising. In the tenth minute Jaap Stam had complete control of the ball but slipped, Giovanni Tedesco took advantage and surged towards the ball in the penalty box on the right. Luca Marchegiani tried to stop the Perugia player who dived over the Lazio goalkeeper in spectacular fashion as if he wanted to break a wave at the seaside. The dive was so good that the ref awarded the penalty. There had been no contact between the players, but there was nothing the Biancocelesti could do. Ze Maria scored and Perugia were in the lead.

However, Lazio equalised almost immediately. In the 16th minute, a corner from the left was taken by Massimo Oddo. Željko Kalac found himself in no man’s land and Bernardo Corradi headed the ball in.

The match was entertaining with both teams trying their best despite the wet pitch. In the 43rd minute Fabrizio Micoli’s corner was cleared by Oddo but the ball fell exactly right for Fabio Grosso in the centre of the penalty box. The future hero of Italy’s win in the 2006 World Cup, had the time to stop the ball, aim and shoot low in the left corner beating Marchegiani.

In the second half Lazio had an immediate chance in the 52nd minute when Diego Simeone crossed the ball into the box for Corradi. His header unfortunately hit the woodwork. A minute later Zisis Vryzas passed the ball to Manuele Blasi on the left of Lazio’s box. Marchegiani tried to intervene on the cross but missed the ball completely, Luigi Pagliuca could have made it three but his shot was weak and Giuseppe Favalli was able to clear.

In the 10th minute Pagliuca made a wonderful flying pass over the Lazio defence for Miccoli who, had he stopped the ball decently, would have had a colossal chance. His mistake in controlling the ball was very much appreciated.

Lazio attacked but exposed themselves to Perugia counter attacks. Marchegiani was excellent in clearing the ball off Miccoli in the 28th minute. Shortly after a clear handball in the Perugia box by Sean Sogliano not seen by the ref, Lazio managed to equalise. In the 85th minute Oddo sent a great ball in the box and Paolo Negro headed it in. A minute later Claudio Lopez even had the chance to give Lazio the win but his shot was wide.

A good point on a difficult day. But the winning drought continued.

Who played for Perugia

Kalac, Sogliano, Di Loreto, Milanese, Zé Maria, Tedesco (46' Pagliuca), Obodo, Blasi, Grosso, Vryzas, Miccoli (83' Caracciolo)

Substitutes: Tardioli, Baronio, Berrettoni, Fusani, Rezaei

Manager: Cosmi

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Oddo, Negro, Stam, Favalli, Fiore, Simeone, Liverani (80’ Lazetic), Cesar (70’ Chiesa), Corradi, Claudio Lopez (90’ Castroman)