Lazio let an early lead slip through their fingers as Monza held them to a keenly-contested 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening. Maurizio Sarri’s charges were desperate to grab three points amid an underwhelming Serie A start, but the visitors stood firm to record a second consecutive stalemate.
Fresh off Ivan Provedel’s late heroics in a breathtaking 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action, Lazio sought redemption following a dismal 3-1 defeat at Juventus last weekend. Talismanic frontman Ciro Immobile got them off to a flying start, breaking the deadlock only 12 minutes into the game.
Mattia Zaccagni breezed into Monza’s penalty area before being tackled to the ground, with referee Rosario Abisso immediately pointing to the spot. Immobile took responsibility and gave Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio no chance to increase his tally to two goals in the 2023/24 Serie A season.
However, Lazio failed to protect their lead before halftime. Ex-Inter midfielder Roberto Gagliardini drew Monza level in the 36th minute with a simple finish. The seasoned Serie A campaigner turned home a low cross going across goal with his weaker right foot to send sides into the locker rooms on level terms.
Despite making a triple change at the break, Sarri couldn’t find a formula to get Lazio back on track in the second half. Immobile had the best chance for Biancocelsti after the halftime interval, but his thumping volley against the back post.
After yet another disappointing result, Lazio find themselves stuck only one point clear of the relegation zone with a single win from five matches. Visiting Monza have accrued one more, but Raffaele Palladino waltzed away from the Olimpico happier of the two managers.
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