Lazio still believe

Simon Basten

Jun 29, 20233 min read

Updated: Nov 28, 2024

2019-20 Season

Game 29

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin

Torino Lazio 1-2

The Biancocelesti win a very difficult game coming from behind thanks to Immobile and Parolo

After beating Inter 2-1, the Biancocelesti won at Genoa and at home against Bologna and took the lead in campionato even though Juventus still had one game in hand (the Bianconeri would eventually win that game and have a one point lead). Triumph was around the corner, but the outbreak of Covid stopped the world as well as football.

Serie A returned in late June with a number of changes. The last 12 games of the season would be played in 6 weeks, behind closed doors and with 5 substitutions possible per team divided into a maximum of three slots per game, with the exception of substitutions between the first and second half. A revolution because it meant that the clubs with the deepest squads would have an advantage.

Lazio had lost Lucas Leiva and Senad Lulic through injury and the long break took its toll on the Biancocelesti who struggled physically against a more in form Atalanta, in the first game since the lockdown. Up 2-0 after only ten minutes, Lazio crumbled and lost 3-2. The difficulties were obvious even in the game prior to today’s. Against Fiorentina the Biancocelesti were 1-0 down but managed to recover and win thanks to a penalty from Ciro Immobile and a great goal by Luis Alberto.

The fans had no longer any scudetto illusions despite the fact that Juventus were only four points ahead. The important thing was for Lazio to qualify for the Champions League. Next up Torino.

The match

The two teams faced each other in an almost empty stadium due to Covid restrictions. In the 4th minute there was a free kick in Lazio’s half on the left. Simone Verdi crossed in; Marco Parolo tried to clear but de facto just headed the ball across the box. Nicolas Nkoulou tried a shot at goal, Ciro Immobile intercepted with a hand, penalty. Andrea Belotti had no problem with the spot kick, Lazio already behind.

The Biancocelesti were in total confusion, they already had to deal with rather poor physical condition and now they were forced to face an uphill challenge. In the 22nd minute Luis Alberto found the gap for Immobile but King Ciro’s shot went over the crossbar. Immobile had another opportunity in the 37th minute but again his shot went high.

At this point Lazio had total control of the game and cross after cross into the box, but the Torino defence did not concede much. Francesco Acerbi did actually score off a free kick from Luis Alberto but he was offside.

The second half opened with the Lazio equaliser. In the 48th minute, classic Luis Alberto assist for the Lazio centre forward who ran into the box on the left between Nkoulou and Lyanco and put the ball on the far post.

Lazio doubled their efforts and there was a lot of pressure on the Torino defence. In the 62nd minute Stefan Radu from the left crossed into the box for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic but the big Serb was slightly late and could not get a good impact on the ball.

In the 73rd minute Jordan Lukaku dribbled past Cristian Ansaldi on the left and crossed into the box for Milinkovic-Savic on the far post. Big whack directly at Salvatore Sirigu who parried, Manuel Lazzari tried to pass to Immobile but the Torino defence got in the way. The ball was outside the box perfectly lined up for Parolo who took a shot, deflection by Bremer, goal. Torino 1 Lazio 2.

In the 83rd minute opportunity for Joaquin Correa but the ball went just wide. Torino tried a forcing, but Lazio comfortably brought home the three points.

Who played for Torino

Sirigu, Lyanco, Nkoulou, Bremer (80' Millico), De Silvestri (59' Ansaldi), Meitè, Rincon, Lukic (80' Djidji), Aina (70' Edera), Verdi (59' Berenguer), Belotti

Substitutes: Ujkani, Rosati, Izzo, Ghazoini, Singo, Greco, Adopo, Zaza

Manager: Longo