The goals of Basic, the first in biancoceleste, and Patric knock out the Russians. Cross for Pedro. Note that the injury to Immobile is out of tune
On the second day of the Europa League, Lazio beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0, redeems the defeat in Istanbul and flies to second place in group F. Race dominated far and wide by the Capitoline, who unlock it with a header by Basic (13 ‘) and close it at 38’ with a touch from a few steps of Patric. At 64 ‘cross of Pedro. The only discordant note is the injury a Immobile, forced to leave at 40 ‘due to a hardening in his right thigh.
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THE MATCH
In the wake of the victory in the derby, Lazio won their first European success and quickly got back on track after the defeat against Galatasaray. In addition to the victory, in the Biancoceleste home there is great satisfaction because Sarri’s spectacular game begins to be seen and only for a bit of imprecision and affectation the result was no longer round as suggested by what was seen on the pitch. In fact, there has never been a match at the Olimpico, too much technical-tactical difference with the Russians who understood very little and suffered the Lazio initiative for almost the entire match. The first alarm bell for Lokomotiv goes off after 8 ‘, when Guilherme responds in a big way to Luis Alberto’s diagonal. The pressure from the Capitoline is constant and at 13 ‘the match is released: the no-look assist for Basic is splendid, who does not make a mistake with his head and scores the first goal with the new shirt. Immobile has a couple of chances (half overturned to the side and shot blocked), but it’s not an evening. The Russians look out for the first time from the parts of Strakosha only in the 26th minute, but Anjorin kicks high. It is their best moment, because a minute later Smolov commits Strakosha, who is good at kicking off his foot, and in the 32nd minute Hysaj anticipates the Russian striker himself just a few steps from the goal. Felipe Anderson is irrepressible when action is taken and Guilherme is called to the very save to avoid doubling. This Brazilian naturalized Russian goalkeeper is not bad, but he misses on the following corner and for Patric from two steps away it is child’s play to double (38 ‘). Sarri loses Immobile (nothing serious is what transpires from the locker room) and inserts Muriqi: the Turkish is replied by Rybchinskii with a sure shot, confirming once again the lack of killer instinct. Time closes an output of Strakosha on the usual Smolov, for what will be the last parade of the Albanian number 1.
Nikolic’s team gives a last sign of life with a slightly high shot by Zhemaletdinov (54 ‘), then the scene is all from Lazio. Pedro hits a sensational crossbar in the 64th minute, Milinkovic-Savic (lob from a few high steps) and Felipe Anderson (diagonal to the side from the small area) think more about aesthetics than cynicism. Something that will not please Sarri, who still enjoys his first success in this Europa League and second place in the group behind Galatasaray.
REPORT CARDS
Felipe Anderson 7.5 – Together with Lazzari he is the owner of the right wing. Guilherme denies him the joy of the goal, Muriqi wastes his precious bank. When he starts at speed he is impregnable.
Pedro 7 – Great performance by the Spanish striker, who together with Felipe Anderson drives the Russian rearguard mad. The assist for Basic’s goal was splendid, unlucky in the second half when he hit the crossbar in full.
Basic 6,5 – In his first time as a starter, the Serbian midfielder repays Sarri’s confidence with a fine header that unlocks and directs the game. Slowly it is entering the Sarrian mechanisms.
Smolov 6.5 – He is the only one to worry Strakosha, good at saving himself twice, first on the foot and then on the way out. He duets well with Anjorin, but they preach in the desert.
Anjorin 6.5 – Technically he is the best of his and together with Smolov he is the only one to create headaches for Lazio. The only drawback is never able to go to the conclusion.
William 5.5 – A couple of great saves on Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson, but also the sensational indecision at the exit that causes the 2-0 goal that basically closes the game.
THE TABLE
LAZIO-LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW 2-0
Lazio (4-3-3): Strakosha 6.5; Lazzari 6.5 (29 ‘st Marusic 6), Patric 6.5, Acerbi 6, Hysaj 6; Luis Alberto 6.5 (15 ‘st Milinkovic-Savic 5.5), Cataldi 6 (15’ st Leiva 6), Basic 6.5; Felipe Anderson 7.5, Immobile 6 (40 ‘Muriqi 5), Pedro 7 (29’ st Moro 6). Available: Reina, Furlanetto, Luiz Felipe, Radu, Escalante, Akpa-Akpro, Romero. All.: Often 7
Lokomotiv Mosca (4-4-2)Stk #: Guilherme 5.5; Zhivoglyadov 5.5, Barinov 5.5, Pablo 6, Rybchinskii 5; Zhemaletdinov 6 (37 ‘st Lisakovich sv), Maradishvili 5 (27’ st Kerk), Kuilikov 5,5, Beka Beka 5; Smolov 6.5, Anjorin 6.5 (37 ‘st Petrov sv). Available: Khudiakov, Savin, Nenakhov, Kamano, Silyanov, Ivankov, Babkin. All.: Nikolic 5
Referee: Pawson (England)
Markers: 13′ Basic (L), 38′ Patric (L)
Ammonites: Cataldi (L), Beka Beka (LM), Lazzari (L), Rybchinskii (LM)
Expelled: –
Note: –
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