A massive week for Lazio got off to a very disappointing and drab start in Florence tonight with a 2-1 loss against Fiorentina that will deal a serious blow to the Biancocelesti and their Champions League ambitions before they take on Milan on Friday night. The home side dominated the majority of the game and chances with seven shots on target to Lazio’s one and notched 13 corners throughout the game.
The visitors were the first to draw blood however completely against the run of play through a well placed Luis Alberto effort into the bottom corner during first half stoppage time. Matteo Guendouzi provided the one touch assist.
It proved to be Lazio’s sole effort on target as Fiorentina seized control of the game and levelled with Micheal Kayode’s first Serie A goal. Very soon after Nicolo Casale gave away a penalty but got away with it as Nicolas Gonzalez hit the post, a recurring theme for the Viola this evening. Less then a minute later the game was turned on it’s head. Giacomo Bonaventura the quickest to react to Ivan Provedel’s parry straight back into the goalmouth.
Despite finishing the game with a completely fresh front line (including the return of Mattia Zaccagni from injury) Maurizio Sarri’s players couldn’t create a concrete chance leading to frustration in Florence and will be kicking themselves now they find they lie in eighth spot below Fiorentina.
Without further ado here are our Lazio Player Ratings for tonight:
Ivan Provedel – 5.5
Small issue less then 15 minutes in but continued. Some decent saves in the first half including clearances from several corners. Probably could have done better for second goal which he parried straight back out but it did travel past many bodies.
Adam Marusic – 5
Didn’t do enough to convince before half-time. Dragged over to leave his flank unattended. Failed to challenge for headers at corners on a few occasions. Didn’t reappear for the second 45.
Alessio Romagnoli – 5.5
Directed the backline throughout. Contributed important clearances to keep the Viola away. A serious amount was thrown at him and he was overwhelmed along with the rest of the squad.
Nicolo Casale – 5
A good performance for his first start this year. Slid in with a goalsaving block when Lazio’s defence was caught out. Rose well to combat the countless corners. Committed a dodgy tackle that gave Fiorentina the penalty. A symptom of a below par second half
Manuel Lazzari – 5.5
Neglected his wing once early on but learned and was more secure most of the time. Plenty of dashing forward too but without notable success. This had its downsides as he didn’t make it back in time to defend quick breaks. Completely missing in action for the second goal to leave his teammates exposed.
Danilo Cataldi – 6
Constantly at his opposing midfielders in the first half. Honest performance without any errors but was chasing shadows as Fiorentina seized control of the midfield.
Matteo Guendouzi – 6.5
Covered a good amount of ground in the opening half. He was present in almost all attacking moves culminating in his fantastic one touch pass to Alberto for an assist. The bright spot in his performance. Was robbed of the ball and this led to the penalty.
Luis Alberto – 6
Hardly seen on the ball in the first half but then burst onto the scene to catapult his side into the lead with a great goal. Disappeared again and went very quiet after the break.
Felipe Anderson – 6
Hard working all evening out wide but the Brazilian didn’t convert this running into opportunities going forward. Error in the build up to the equaliser. Tired himself out and was subbed off.
Ciro Immobile – 5.5
Dropped deep to link up with the play and his pass initiated the action for the goal. Yet again more involved in the build up then finishing chances.
Gustav Isaksen – 4.5
No chances to cross the ball or pick out his teammates tonight. Very few touches of the ball and when he did gain possession the Danish winger never really got going. Anonymous display.
Substitutes:
Elseid Hysaj – 5.5
The defender was very comfortable and comfident on the ball tonight. On the other hand he didn’t watch his shoulder at all to see Kayode behind him for the equaliser. Bad error.
Mattia Zaccagni – 4.5
Took a while to set in and it was obvious he was only back from injury. Sat way too far back to cause trouble for the Viola. No impact.
Matias Vecino – 5.5
One or two good passes to set up Castellanos and a shot at the very end. Apart from this nothing of note.
Taty Castellanos – N/A
Pedro – N/A