ROME (ITALPRESS) – Mission accomplished for Lazio, which needed to win to certify qualification for the Europa League round of 16 and did so with a super performance against Real Sociedad, beaten 3-1. Marco Baroni confirms en bloc the midfielders and strikers seen in the last league match against Verona, while in the defensive department Romagnoli and the “cup goalkeeper” Mandas return as starters, also accomplice to the absences due to disqualification of Gigot and Pellegrini. A cautious start for the Biancocelesti who, however, as soon as they turn up the pressure, take the lead: Tavares’ free kick from the three-quarter line, the ball goes up and Castellanos’ touch that favors Gila, who is good at resolving the melee with a powerful shot under the crossbar. Sucic and Kubo tried to shake the guests, but it was still Lazio that came close to scoring: Remiro closed in on Dia, and on the developments of the corner kick Castellanos’ attempt was repelled by Mendez on the line, while Gila’s tap-in slammed against the post. On the change of front, woodwork struck again by Sucic with a shot from the edge on which Mandas would never arrive. The Basque formation also showed up on the counterattack with Becker, but the game changed on the half-hour mark when Munoz committed a second yellow foul on Isaksen and left his team in ten. Lazio sniffed out the opportunity and immediately took advantage of it with enviable cynicism: on 32′ Isaksen drew Zaccagni in the box, who did not miss a moving penalty, while two minutes later Tavares set off a cut-back cross to find the perfect insertion of Castellanos, who thunderbolted Remiro with his header.
The second half is business as usual for Lazio, which constantly keeps possession of the ball in Real Sociedad’s half, which is really too passive and surrendering. The most dangerous flick is brought by the usual Pedro, who in 76′ takes advantage of a play by Noslin, almost anticipating it, but hits the crossbar from a few steps. In the 82nd minute the first offensive projection of the second half for the guests, who found the flagship goal with Barrenetxea’s tap-in header after Mandas’ touch on Aramburu’s cross. The only blemish of the night for Lazio was the injury to Tavares, who came off in the 41′ touching his groin after yet another shot.
– photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
Lazio-Real Sociedad 3-1, biancocelesti in the Europa League round of 16
