2022-23 Season
Game 21
February 6, 2023
Stadio Bentegodi, Verona
Verona Lazio 1-1
Once again Lazio is ahead at the end of the first half and once again concede a goal in the beginning of the second.
The teams
Maurizio Sarri decides to put Manuel Lazzari (out of form) and Felipe Anderson (not 100%) on the bench and in comes Ciro Immobile from the start. Ciro needs playing time to get into a decent form and Lazio really need him at 100%.
First half
Verona are a very physical team but at first Lazio seem to cope well but without really creating anything themselves. The first chance of the match however is Lazio’s. In the 10th minute there is a free kick outside the penalty box. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the specialist but his wonderful shot is just out.
After the first third of the match Verona start to have a little more courage and are dangerous. Incredible chance in the 18th minute. Cyril Ngonge shoots from long range on the right, the ball bounces just in front of Ivan Provedel who does what he can, Josh Doig has a great chance on the rebound but the Scot miskicks it completely. In the 25th minute Ngonge tries again but his shot is wide.
A minute later, long pass from Provedel to Milinkovic-Savic. The Serb’s back header goes over the Verona defence and frees Immobile for a chance, but from a difficult angle. Ciro’s shot is wide. In the 35th minute, Immobile first has a volley attempt walled by the Verona defence and then on the rebound is unable to give his shot enough power.
Another chance for Verona in the 38’ minute. There is a corner for the gialloblù, the ball is cleared but Fabio Depaoli has a shot lined up for him outside the box on the left. The ball passes through a crowded area but Provedel does not take his eye off the ball and saves.
In the 43rd minute Elseid Hysaj for Pedro who runs into the box on the left but his shot is too high. Just before the half time whistle Lazio score. Mattia Zaccagni goes off on the left and passes to Immobile who gives it to Danilo Cataldi, ball to Pedro, back to Cataldi who again gives it to the Spaniard. Pedro is in the box, back to the goal. He turns and kicks a magnificent curving shot that beats Lorenzo Montipò. 1-0 for Lazio.
Second half
Lazio’s second half starts are always terrible and unfortunately today is no exception. In the 51st minute Darko Lazovic has a free kick on the left not too far from the corner flag. His cross is perfect as is the timing of Ngonge who heads the ball past Provedel jumping up between Immobile and Nicolò Casale.
Three minutes later Verona could make it two. Depaoli crosses from the right. The ball gets to Lazovic in the box on the other side. His control is a complicated one and he has to run back slightly to reach the ball. When he does, he produces a wonderful curling shot that hits the woodwork.
Lazio have a temporary blackout and Verona push forward. In the 56th minute, Ngonge on the left to Lazovic who passes the ball inside the box. Hysaj clears but it becomes a pass for Doig unmarked on the left. The Scot shoots but Provedel is miraculous.
Sarri substitutes Cataldi with Matias Vecino in the 60th minute. The Italian seems to be in physical difficulty and Lazio are suffering. The introduction of the Uruguayan subdues Verona and puts a little bit more life into the Biancocelesti who take back control of the game. However, Lazio do not create much and tend to miss the last decisive pass. Zaccagni comes to life and is a little more dangerous but to no avail.
Once again Lazio concede a goal in the opening minutes of the second half. Bad habits are difficult to erase.
Who played for Verona
Montipò, Magnani, Hien, Coppola (79' Ceccherini), Depaoli, Tameze (86' Sulemana), Duda, Doig, Ngonge (68' Gaich), Lazovic (79' Abildgaard), Lasagna.
Substitutes: Berardi, Perilli, Zeefuik, Cabal, Terracciano, Verdi, Braaf, Kallon.
Manager: Zaffaroni.
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi (57' Vecino), Luis Alberto, Pedro, Immobile (68' Felipe Anderson), Zaccagni.
Substitutes: Maximiano, Adamonis, Lazzari, Patric, Pellegrini, Gila, Marcos Antonio, Basic, Cancellieri, Romero.
Manager: Sarri
Referee: Ayroldi
Goals: 45’ Pedro, 51’Ngonge
Bookings: Duda, Zaccagni, Magnani, Hien, Depaoli
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