Marseille vs Lazio 2-2: Immobile Becomes Lazio Top Goalscorer

Ciro Immobile became Lazio’s all-time top goalscorer as he scored I Biancocelesti’s second in their 2-2 draw away to Marseille. 

It was a difficult night for Maurizio Sarri’s side and they were fortunate to take a point here at the Stade Velodrome with the hosts dominating possession and the chances over the course of the game. 

Les Olympiens made several changes from their 1-0 away victory against Clermont in Ligue 1 last Sunday as Leonardo Balerdi, Gerson, Konrad de La Feunte and Bamba Dieng were replaced by Duje Caleta-Car, Valentin Rongier, Dimitri Payet and Arkadiusz Milik respectively. 

I Biancocelesti also made four changes to their starting line-up from their 2-2 draw away to Atalanta as Thomas Strakosha replaced Pepe Reina in between the sticks and Adam Marusic dropped to the bench for Manuel Lazzari. There were also two changes in the midfield as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Danilo Cataldi were replaced by Lucas Leiva and Toma Basic. 

Payet had the first opportunity of the match when his curling free-kick sailed just inches over the bar. Payet continued to deliver some quality set-pieces, as his free-kick from the right flank caused some danger in the penalty area, before going out for a corner early on in the first half. 

The hosts continued to build pressure on the Serie A side and came close from an Milik header, preceded by a fine cross by Pol Lirola, which forced ‘keeper Strakosha into making a good save down to his left. 

Unfortunately for Marseille head coach Jorge Sampaoli, Lazarri was forced off after just 26 minutes due to injury and was replaced by Marusic. 

Milik wanted a penalty after Francesco Acerbi pulled him down inside the area and it was left to VAR to complete a potential check. Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez had a look at the incident on the monitor and rightfully awarded the penalty, as Milik comfortably put Marseille in front, smashing his penalty into the bottom right corner. 

Lazio asserted a bit more pressure just before half time and thought they had equalized through Felipe Anderson after he converted from close range but it was disallowed for offside. Once again, the decision was reviewed by VAR and the on-field decision was overturned, putting Sarri’s side undeservedly level at the break. 

There was a lot more intensity in the second half and shortly after the restart Ciro Immobile scored his 160th goal for Lazio, becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer, after he was able to capitalise on an error by on-loan Arsenal defender William Saliba. Rongier was also to blame for the goal as he played a poor back pass to the 20-year-old center-back. 

Lazio continued to put pressure on Marseille in the second half and looked like a much better side than in the first as they looked to build on their lead. Sampaoli’s side looked shaken up after going a goal down and shadow of their first half display. 

However, the hosts started to fight back and a curling ball into the box by Cengiz Under struck the post as Strakosha was planted in the middle of the goal, hoping and praying that the ball would not find the back of the net. 

Marseille started to have the better of possession again but failed to create too many chances that threatened Strakosha. However, Payet was able to draw the hosts level after a series of efforts on goal with around 10 minutes remaining. Matteo Guendouzi worked the ball fantastically down the right flank before playing the ball into Milik. Lazio failed to clear the danger and Payet was able to turn the ball home from close range. 

⏱️ 82' GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAL! @dimpayet17 picks up the pieces and hammers it home from an impossible angle!

Allez L'OM!!!!#OMLazio | 2️⃣ – 2️⃣ | #UEL pic.twitter.com/XwMOtSdPAx

— Olympique de Marseille ?? ?? (@OM_English) November 4, 2021

It was a nervy end to the match for Lazio as Marseille piled on the pressure in search of a winner and Payet came extremely close when his long range effort struck the bar. 

The Italian side will feel very fortunate to have not suffered a defeat here as Sampaoli’s side were by far the better side over the course of the 90 minutes, especially in the last 20 minutes of the game. 

Lazio face Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in their next game. 

 

MATCH SCORECARD

November 4, 2021 – UEFA Europa League 2021-22 Round 4
MARSEILLE – LAZIO 2-2

SCORERS: 33′ Milik (M, pen.), 45+7′ Felipe Anderson (L), 49′ Immobile (L), 82′ Payet (M)