Serie A. Round 28
Rome. “Stadio Olimpico”
Lazio – Udinese 1:1
Goals: A. Romagnoli 32 – Thauvin 22
Lazio: Provedel, Lazzari, Gila, A. Romagnoli, Marusic, Vecino (Belahian 65), Guendouzi, Isaksen (Patrick 81), Dia (Pedro 65), Zaccagni, Chauna (Noslin 46)
Udinese: Okoye, T. Christensen, Sole, Biyol, Ehizibe (Modesto 89), Carlström, Lovric (Atta 65), Ekkelenkamp (Payero 65), H. Camara (Zemura 65), Lucca, Thauvin (Davies 81)
Warnings: Vecino 52, Lazzari 62 – J. Camara 8, Lovric 60, Payero 76, Carlström 90+1
Referee: Marco Piccinini
During Juventus' run of five league wins in a row, Lazio didn't let go, they clung on. They got three wins and two draws. They equalized against Napoli in the 87th minute, snatched victory against Milan a week ago from a penalty in the 98th minute. And finally got a chance to return to fourth place thanks to the Turin club's collapse against Atalanta on Sunday. But they failed to take advantage of it.
The Romans have excuses. They are currently playing in the Italian Cup and the European Cups, which means they are very tired. On Thursday, they won in the Europa League only thanks to a goal in the 98th minute. The return match is next Thursday. And today's opponent was Udinese, who had not conceded in three consecutive games before this round, having scored 13 points in the previous five rounds, including a 1:1 away draw against Napoli itself.
The Friulians deserved a draw in Naples based on the way they played. Just like today in Rome.
In the first half, Udinese simply played better than their opponents. They beat them in all the main statistical data – shots on goal (9:6), ball possession, xG, passes in the attacking third of the field. True, neither team created many chances. But the one who deserved it scored. Lucca and Thauvin played a counterattack, Provedel parried shot after shot, but in the end, Florian scored from point-blank range.
Lazio responded. Okoye, back from injury, saved a curling shot from Zaccagni. The corner beat Gila in the air, and another central defender, Romagnoli, finished from a metre away. However, Lucca almost hit the target at the end of the half.
The hosts started the second half with pressure. Kamara saved Zaccagni's shot with a desperate tackle. Okoye blocked Noslin's shot. Zaccagni's shots were blocked. But there are few such moments and so many. And in the last stage of the match the visitors dominated. Lazio seemed to be tired. They even fielded a central defender instead of a winger. Provedel blocked Zemura's free kick, the defenders blocked other shots.
After two consecutive league wins against Lazio, Udinese draws with them. Also a good achievement. In Rome, the Zebrette are unbeaten in the league against the Eagles for the fifth match in a row. Against everyone, they have already played their sixth league match in a row without defeat, their eighth in a row with goals scored. They are tenth and quite pleased with themselves. And Lazio is fifth and has only one win in their last seven league matches at home.
Laziale are closing the gap with Juventus to one point. But they could have scored more today and overtaken them. Although they couldn't have done so in terms of play.
www.ua-football.com