BRAGA (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Painless defeat for Lazio, which in the last day of the Europa League “league phase” loses at home to Braga 1-0, but retains the lead in the standings, crowning a first part of the European journey at the highest level. Marco Baroni has to deal with numerous absences, between the disqualifications of Rovella and Zaccagni and the injuries of Vecino, Patric Tavares and Lazzari, who were joined by Guendouzi. Here, then, is Gila starting in midfield alongside Dele-Bashiru. The start of the match is in Braga’s favor, more aggressive as they are forced to win: the hosts’ maneuvering is enveloping and the Portuguese go ahead as early as 6′ with Fernandes seeing Gomez’s overlap and serving his partner, who is good at putting a ball into the box that Horta places with precision at the second post. Initially Lazio struggles to measure up, but then they turn up the pressure and show up several times with a ball from the back to go over the opponent’s defense: an effective solution, but somehow the hosts save themselves. On 21′ Pedro comes very close to equalizing directly from a free kick. The second part of the first half is very balanced and without any particular ringing, except for that of Tchaouna in the recovery, but the striker misses the final choice and does not find any teammate in the middle. In the second half Braga restarts strongly, determined to double, with Lazio unable to restart. The game changes with the entry of Isaksen, who comes close to scoring with the first ball touched and then kicks a corner on which Noslin arrives with a header: on both occasions very responsive Hornicek, who then makes another fine save on Dele-Bashiru’s shot from distance. Braga builds up a very nice chance in the 87th minute, but Horta wastes it all with an improbable lob that does not go over Mandas. Victory was of no use to the Portuguese, who were anyway eliminated on goal difference, while Lazio in the round of 16 will face one of Roma, Viktoria Plzen, Ferencvaros and Porto.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
