Lazio reinforced their second place in the Serie A league table as they beat Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in the last game of Round 28. Goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mattia Zaccagni helped Maurizio Sarri’s side maintain a five-point lead over cross-town rivals Roma.
Juventus suffered Lazio’s pressure from the very beginning and were unable to rebalance the match despite switching to a more offensive 4-3-3 setup in the middle of the second half. Adrien Rabiot gave the Old Lady a temporary equalizer but Davide Landucci (who replaced a Massimilano Allegri down with the flu) and his black-and-white boys had no more answers when Zaccagni put Lazio ahead again.
This is Juventus’ first league loss after three wins in a row while the Biancocelesti extended their fantastic non-losing streak to seven games.
Mattia Zaccagni scored his 10th league goal and is currently the Italian player with the most goals scored in Serie A this season.
Below our live updates from tonight’s game at the Stadio Olimpico.
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Full Time – Juventus vs Lazio 2-1
After 97 minutes of play, referee Marco Di Bello blew for full time. Juventus’ final assault was fruitless as Lazio take all three points on offer to consolidate their second place in the Serie A table.
Minute 92 – Stoppage Time Extended
There will be at least two more minutes added as play was stopped due to an injury occurred to Lazio’s Nicoló Casale.
Minute 90 – Five More Minutes to Go…
There will be five minutes of added time. Juventus are now launching a full scale attack.
Minute 86 – Miretti In for Fagioli
New change for Landucci as Fabio Miretti takes Nicoló Fagioli’s place. Fagioli appears heart-broken at the chance he failed a few minutes ago…
Minute 83 – Fagioli’s Shot Out!
Now, this is what we want to see from Chiesa: The Azzurri winger made a brilliant dash along the left flank and served Nicoló Fagioli a great shooting chance, which the 22-year-old failed to convert. Much better, Federico.
Minute 81 – Chiesa Takes a Dive…
Poor acting from Federico Chiesa as the ex-Fiorentina man took a dive in the box. The referee didn’t buy it.
Minute 77 – Juventus Pressing High
Juventus have started to press high as they are now trying to prevent Lazio from building their play from the back…
Minute 69 – More Changes on Both Sides
Another change for Lazio as Maurizio Sarri sends Matias Vecino in for Danilo Cataldi. For Juventus, Landucci pulls off Cuadrado, who had just risked receiving a second yellow card, and sends in Danilo.
Minute 64 – Pedro In for Immobile
Pedro replaces Immobile among the Lazio lines. The former Serie A capocannoniere didn’t make an impact tonight, even though he could not be expected to be in top shape…
Minute 63 – Triple Substitution for Juventus
Landucci sees that Juventus are struggling and opts for a triple substitution. Federico Chiesa replaces Vlahovic, who had a lackluster game, while Arkadiusz Milik takes Filip Kostic’s place. Finally, Leandro Paredes comes in for Manuel Locatelli.
The Bianconeri are now switching to a 4-3-3 setup, with Cuadrado and Alex Sandro playing as full backs.
Minute 62 – Vlahovic’s Header Out
Just before being subbed, Dusan Vlahovic tries to make the best out of an Alex Sandro’s cross in the box, but his header ends off target…
Minute 56 – Zaccagni’s Second Goal Is Disallowed
Zaccagni strikes again, but the former Verona man is caught offside.
Minute 53 – Zaccagni Puts Lazio Ahead Again!
Lazio ahead again! Mattia Zaccagni made it to the scorecard with a clinical shot at the far post, but Luis Alberto’s assist absolutely stole the stage as the Spaniard serviced Zaccagni with a sublime back-heel pass. Applauses!
Lazio vs Juventus 2-1
Minute 50 – Cuadrado Booked
Juan Cuadrado scores a yellow card for a foul on Zaccagni. It was the third tackle a bit over the edge for the Colombian, who ultimately ended on the referee’s radar.
Minute 46 – No Changes During the Break
The game has just restarted. There were no changes to either lineup during the half time break.
Half Time – Juventus vs Lazio 1-1
A very tactical game caught fire in the last minutes of the first half. Lazio were the most aggressive side from the get-go and deservedly drew first blood with Milinkovic-Savic. Juventus protested vehemently as the Serbian seemed to have pushed Alex Sandro in the build-up but referee Marco Di Bello didn’t want to hear it. However, Rabiot drew level for the Old Lady shortly after.
Minute 42 – Rabiot Equalizes Immediately!
Juventus had a furious reaction and grabbed an equalizer in no-time. It was Adrien Rabiot to push the ball into the net at the end of a chaotic action in the Biancocelesti‘s box.
Lazio vs Juventus 1-1
Minute 38 – Milinkovic-Savic Opens the Scoring!
Lazio’s Serbian midfielder scored his 6th goal this season as he beat Szczesny from close range. Juventus protested over an alleged foul from Milinkovic-Savic on Alex Sandro but the referee allowed the goal after checking the VAR.
Lazio vs Juventus 1-0
Minute 29 – Szczesny Denies Immobile!
Spectacular combination from Lazio! Felipe Anderson chipped the ball for Ciro Immobile, who volleyed it towards the Juve goal. Wojciech Szczesny saved the day for the Bianconeri with a brilliant intervention.
Minute 26 – Juventus Struggle to Build Up Their Play
Juventus have been struggling to build up their play so far. Their only attempts have come on the counter but Lazio’s goalie Ivan Provedel has had no reason for concern so far.
Minute 19 – Quite a Scare for Vlahovic…
Dusan Vlahovic spent a couple minute on the sidelines as he picked up an ankle injury after a collision with Danilo Cataldi. However, the Serbian striker was able to resume play.
Minute 12 – Lazio Pile On the Pressure
Lazio continue to pile on the pressure and maintain ball possession. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had two chances but both his headers sailed over the bar.
Minute 8 – Vlahovic’s Header Out
Juventus’ first action is a Dusan Vlahovic header that ends off target. The Serbian striker was served by Adrien Rabiot.
Minute 3 – Three Corners in a Row for Lazio
Lazio had a strong start! The Biancocelesti collected three corner kicks in a row even though nothing good came out of them.
Minute 0 – Allegri Will Not Be Part of the Game
Juventus’ coach Massimiliano Allegri is ill and will not be sitting on the Bianconeri‘s bench. He will be replaced by his second in command Davide Landucci. The referee is Mr. Marco Di Bello from Brindisi.
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Lazio and Juventus square off on Saturday night in the closing match of Serie A Round 29 and we are ready to follow the game with our live updates. The Stadio Olimpico in Rome forms the backdrop as two of the most in-shape sides of the Italian top-flight face each other to secure a Champions League spot next season.
Lazio have collected five wins and one draw in the last five league games, conceding no goals, while Juventus are on a five-game winning streak between the campionato and the Europa League.
The official lineups have just been revealed as Maurizio Sarri will deploy Lazio in a 4-3-3 fashion with Ciro Immobile playing from the start for the first time in one month. He will be supported by Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni on the front line.
Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri opted for Dusan Vlahovic as lone striker with Angel Di Maria playing behind him. The Bianconeri will feature a back three with Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, and Alex Sandro.
Lazio vs Juventus Official Lineups
Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni Coach: Sarri
Juventus (3-5-1-1): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Vlahovic Coach: Allegri