Lazio claimed their first knockout Champions League win in 24 years with victory against Bayern Munich on Wednesday in a packed Stadio Olimpico and the Biancocelesti returned to Serie A action this afternoon vs Bologna who are the surprise of the season so far, forcing their way into the top four discussion. They conquered the Stadio Olimpico today with a 2-1 come from behind win thanks in part to Provedel’s moment of panic.
Lazio started brightly and took the lead through their number 18 Gustav Isaksen in the 18th minute after a nice assist from Ciro Immobile. They seemed to be comfortable until they shot themselves in the foot five minutes before the interval. The Rossoblu pounced on a woeful pass from Luis Alberto to Ivan Provedel and an even worse one from the ‘keeper who played a ball straight to Giovanni Fabbian allowing him to set up Oussama El Azzouzi for the equaliser before the break and they seized control of the game from this point.
Joshua Zirkzee completed the comeback with a sweet strike in the 78th minute while Lazio slowly faded. Thiago Motta’s squad have now beat the Aquile twice in one campaign for the first time since the 1990s and are in the thick of the battle for the Champions League spots. This was quite the let down for the Olimpico faithful but their team looked tired in the second period after such a taxing game during the week.
Let’s have a look at our Lazio Player Ratings:
Lazio (4-3-3)
Ivan Provedel – 4.5
For the majority of the match he remained untroubled but absolute disaster struck when he played the ball straight to Giovanni Fabbian in his own box resulting in the equaliser. This changed the game.
Manuel Lazzari – 6
Did well to make an impact on the atracking side of things and created some lovely moves with Isaksen. As the game wore on less and less was seen of the Italian.
Mario Gila – 6.5
Tried to keep tabs on Joshua Zirkzee throughout which was a tricky task. Confident defending and on the ball most of the time.
Patric – 6
Shouldn’t have started as he aggravated his injury and had to come off after just 11 minutes.
Adam Marusic – 5
Today the Montenegrin had a licence to attack and used it effectively. On the defensive side of things Riccardo Orsolini made life very difficult for him and he was taken out of the game with one pass before Bologna’s winner. Not great.
Matteo Guendouzi – 6
A strong physical presence in the middle of the park. Often won the ball but couldn’t always break through the lines. Hit two dangerous shots that had to be saved and blocked. Covered plenty of ground.
Danilo Cataldi – 6
Not a bad showing at all from the midfielder with plenty of passes and challenges. Creative play mostly took place out wide but he contributed well. Got booked for a very soft foul.
Luis Alberto – 5
Some great passes from his repertoire but he showed the complete opposite with an awful, awkward backpass to Provedel that led to Bologna’s goal. Great vision at times but he will be annoyed he didn’t make a bigger impact on the game overall. Not one shot.
Gustav Isaksen – 7.5
At the heart of the action. Took advantage of a slip to find Immobile at the start and this set the tone for a livewire performance. Took his goal well to open the scoring. Bologna couldn’t reel him in this afternoon.
Ciro Immobile – 7
Looked confident and revitalised in the first half. Showed his selfless side by shaping to shoot but giving Isaksen an assist instead. Missed a chance or two and slowed down in the second half before being taken off.
Felipe Anderson – 6.5
On form today with quick plays and sudden ventures forward. Appeared on the opposite wing and worked hard to regain possession if he lost it. As the game progressed he created less and less when Bologna took control.
Substitutes:
Nicolo Casale – 4
Found it difficult to keep up at times especially when he was in a deep sleep for the equaliser, keeping the Bologna forwards onside. Struggled without a leader like Romagnoli alongside him. Let Zirkzee saunter into the box unmarked for the winner.
Taty Castellanos – 6
A few chances came his way but he didnt convert any. Header on target and a through ball was denied by Lukasz Skorupski. Didn’t influence play too much.
Pedro – 5.5
Didn’t impose himself on the game. Very little to note from the Spaniard.
Daichi Kamada – N/A
Luca Pellegrini – N/A