PLZEN (CZECH REPUBLIC) (ITALPRESS) – An external victory for Lazio, which in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 wins at home against Viktoria Plzen 1-2: a crazy match, in which the biancocelesti suffer and risk defeat, also due to the expulsions of Rovella and Gigot, but solved by Isaksen’s goal in the 98th minute.
Baroni has to do without Zaccagni, who came off injured from the game against AC Milan, and fires Noslin from 1′. Marusic returns as a starter on the right, while Provedel is here in goal. Crisp start for the biancocelesti, especially with Isaksen immediately at the center of operations, but it is the hosts who find the goal in the 11th minute: Sulc’s goal, however, is cancelled after on-field review for Dweh’s offside position in disturbing Marusic.
The scare shook Lazio, which immediately surged forward and took the lead on 18′ with Romagnoli, who at the second post deflected Noslin’s bank into the net off a corner taken by Pedro. Viktoria did not give up and, in turn, took back the inertia of the match, often presenting themselves in Provedel’s sides. The Lazio goalkeeper is also inaccurate on a throw-in that ends up at the feet of Durosinmi, who kicks it in the bottom corner. On the half-hour mark, Isaksen reads a back pass to Jedlicka well, but he does not control it well and fails to take advantage of the opposition goalkeeper’s exit outside the box.
The restart opened with Durosinmi’s goal, who all alone header hit on Kalvach’s cross: guilty Tavares, who kept the opponent’s center forward in play. Lazio is distracted, does not defend as a team and suffers the push of Viktoria, which immediately comes close to taking the lead: decisive interventions by Marusic and Provedel.
Further complicating matters is Rovella’s ejection at 77′ for dangerous play. The midfielder lifts his leg too high and hits Sulc in the face: the initial yellow is converted to direct red after on-field review. At this point, Lazio just aims to let the clock run out. In the midst of recovery, the home team scores with Kopic, which is immediately cancelled due to a hand touch. On 93′, Gigot’s ejection for a hammer-foot intervention on Cadu. At the last gasp, Guendouzi does not look for the flag but finds Isaksen in the box, who turns in a handkerchief and unloads a violent left-footer into the crossbar that makes Baroni’s men rejoice.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
