Game 8, Europa League Group Phase
Thursday, January 30, 2025
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Estadio Municipal, Braga
Sporting Braga – Lazio 1-0
Despite the loss, Lazio keep first place in Europa League
The team
Marco Baroni was forced to replace Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolò Rovella both suspended as well as Matteo Guendouzi ill with flu. As a consequence Mario Gila was put at midfield due to the lack of players seeing that Matias Vecino was also out injured. Lazio, already certain of a place in the Round of 16, were only playing for glory (and to keep first place). Sporting Braga needed to win and hope that a number of other games went in a certain way in order to qualify for the playoffs.
First half
Sporting Braga started really well and Lazio did not. It took the home team just six minutes to go ahead. Roger Fernandes on the right to Victor Gomez, low cross into the middle of the box, Ricardo Horta anticipated Gila and it was 1-0.
The Biancocelesti took a while to find the right positions, particularly Gila who seemed to be a fish out of water. In the 21st minute Pedro took a free kick that shaved the post. Six minutes later Sikou Niakaté was forced to be substituted, in came Bright Arrey-Mbi.
Not much else happened in the first half. Braga seemed content with the 1-0 and hoped for the right break on the counter attack, Lazio did try to create something but with little conviction.
Second half
In the 57th minute there was a possible penalty on Pedro but the referee gestured to play on. In the 66th minute in came Gustav Isaksen in place of Loum Tchaouna. The Dane immediately had a chance. Luca Pellegrini took a free kick and crossed into the box, the Portuguese defence cleared, Isaksen tried a volley which was saved into corner by Lucas Hornicek.
The game progressed slowly even if Braga needed to score more goals in order to qualify. The Biancocelesti were in difficulty. Boulaye Dia came on for Gila.
In the 82nd minute Tijani Noslin headed towards the goal off a corner, Hornicek was forced to make a good save. Two minutes later Fisayo Dele-Bashiru sent a missile towards the Braga goal, another great save from the keeper.
In the 87th minute Pellegrini pulled up injured, Horta took advantage and raced alone towards Christos Mandas, he tried a lob but the Greek keeper saved.
In the 89th minute Baroni sent in Mahamadou Balde and Matteo Zazza for Taty Castellanos and Pellegrini. A debut for the Italian Primavera player.
In injury time Balde had a chance but missed the ball completely, he however had the reflexes to pass to Adam Marusic whose shot was saved yet again by the keeper.
Lazio lost, but closed the Europa League group stage as leaders. Braga out of the competition.
Who played for Sporting Braga
Hornicek, Gomez (89' Ferreira), Oliveira, Niakaté (27' Arrey-Mbi), Chissumba (89' Marin), Fernandes (79' Martinez), Gorby, Moutinho, Horta, El Ouazzani, Gharbi
Substitutes: Magalhaes, Sa, Bambu, Rodrigues, Noro, Barbosa, Joao Vasconcelos, Macedo
Manager: Carvalhal
Who played for Lazio
Mandas, Marusic, Gigot, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (88' Zazza), Dele-Bashiru, Gila (71' Dia), Tchaouna (66' Isaksen), Pedro, Noslin, Castellanos (88' Balde)
Substitutes: Provedel, Furlanetto, Serra, Nazzaro, Di Tommaso
Manager: Baroni
Referee: Brooks (UK)
Goal: 6’ Horta
Booked: Gila
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