Lazio were in full control as they easily recorded a 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olympico as Toma Basic scored his first ever goal for I Biancocelesti to earn their first three points in Group E in the Europa League this season.
It was a comfortable night for Maurizio Sauri’s side as they recorded 21 shots to Lokomotiv’s 12 and Lazio will be disappointed not to have scored more as they wasted a few key chances. Basic and Patric gave the hosts the victory with two first half goals as they bounce back from their opening Europa League defeat to Galatasaray.
? Lazio lead, Toma Bašić on the scoresheet ⚽️#UEL pic.twitter.com/joxqXu45rb
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 30, 2021
The visitors were sloppy out from the back a few times in the match and were unlucky not to concede when Elseid Hysaj won the ball back well from a throw by Guilherme as the ball eventually fell to Luis Alberto, whose shot from outside the area was parried behind for a corner.
The resulting corner should have been converted by Ciro Immobile at the back post from close range.
However, Lazio had the ball in the back of the net not longer after thanks to a Basic header, scoring his first ever goal for I Biancocelesti. After Lokomotiv failed to clear once again, Felipe Anderson did well inside the area, nutmegging the defender to play in Pedro down the right who provided the cross for Basic to head home.
It wasn’t to be for Immobile tonight as he went close again with Lazio piling on the pressure down the right flank, this time after a Manuel Lazarri’s cross. Immobile hit it on the half-volley but it flashed just wide and was later subbed off just before halt-time due to injury.
He was seen holding an ice pack on his knee as Sarri and the rest of Lazio hope that the injury is not too serious.
Pedro was a dangerous threat for Sarri’s men, driving well into the box and causing problems for the Lokomotiv defence all night.
The hosts gained their second of the night with a weak goal from a corner as Guilherme failed to deal with the delivery, allowing Patric to score an easy goal on the goal line.
It was a similar story once again in the second half with Pedro striking the post, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic lifting the ball over the bar from close range, and Felipe Anderson missing a sitter in front of the goal as Lazio could have added more to the scoreline.
Losing to Lazio in a tough away game#UEL pic.twitter.com/MuJsY1PNpC
— FC Lokomotiv Moscow (@fclokomotiv_eng) September 30, 2021
In the end, it was a comfortable win for Lazio as they earn their first points in the Europa League this season in what was a poor performance by the Russian side as they sit bottom of Group E, only picking up a point after two games.
MATCH SCORECARD
September 30, 2021 – UEFA Europa League 2021-22 Round 2
LAZIO – LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW 2-0
SCORERS: 13′ Basic, 38′ Patric
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LAZIO (4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazarri (74′ Marusic), Patric, Acerbi, Hysaj; Alberto (60′ Milinkovic-Savic), Cataldi (60′ Lucas Leiva), Basic; Anderson, Immobile (42′ Muriqi), Pedro (74′ Moro) (Reina, Furlanetto, Escalante, Akpa Akpro, Romero, Radu, Luiz Felipe) Coach: Sarri |
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LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW (4-3-3): Guilherme; Zhivoglyadov, Barinov, Pablo, Rybchinsky; Beka Beka, Kulikov, Maradishvilli (72′ Kerk); Smolov, Zhemaletdinov (82′ Lisakovich), Anjorin (82′ Petrov) (Savin, Khudyakov, Babkin, Ivankov, Kamano, Nenakhov, Silyanov) Coach: Nikolic |
REFEREE: Pawson (England)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Cataldi, Lazzari (L), Beka Beka, Rybchinskiy (S); Added Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 3′