Cesar Strikes as Lazio Grind Out Another Away Win

Simon Basten

Oct 5, 2023

3 min read

Season 2002-03

Game 5, Serie A

Sunday, October 6, 2002

Stadio Atleti Azurri d’Italia, Bergamo

Atalanta Lazio 0-1

Cesar’s first-half strike and a rock-solid defensive display earns Lazio a deserved away win in Bergamo.

Lazio had started the Serie A campaign badly losing at home to Chievo, but they had then won away at Torino and drawn at home with Milan.

The match

Lazio made it back-to-back away victories with a disciplined 1–0 win over Atalanta in Bergamo, building on the previous success at Torino. Roberto Mancini’s side were far from spectacular, but they showed the organisation, tactical maturity and defensive solidity needed to control a game that became increasingly one-sided after Cesar’s first-half goal.

The opening twenty minutes were the most difficult for the Biancocelesti. Atalanta started aggressively, pressing Lazio deep and looking to exploit the flanks. Damiano Zenoni, Alex Pinardi and Carmine Gautieri combined well in the 16th minute, with Gautieri’s cross deflected behind by Jaap Stam, while two minutes later Pinardi’s free-kick found Paolo Foglio close to goal. Luca Marchegiani reacted quickly to prevent the home side from taking advantage.

Lazio, however, were patient. Rather than forcing the issue, Mancini’s team looked to draw Atalanta forward and then exploit the space behind them. The plan paid off in the 24th minute.

After winning possession in midfield, Dejan Stankovic surged down the left and slipped through Cesar. The Brazilian raced into the area and beat Massimo Taibi with a precise diagonal finish. It was a beautifully constructed move and, more importantly, the goal changed the entire complexion of the match.

Atalanta appeared to lose confidence almost immediately. Lazio, meanwhile, grew in authority and began to dictate the tempo. Giuliano Giannichedda provided protection in front of the defence, Diego Simeone was free to make occasional runs forward, while Stefano Fiore and Stankovic continually switched positions to create numerical advantages.

The Biancocelesti could have doubled their lead before the interval. Sinisa Mihajlovic twice came close with his trademark free-kicks, while Bernardo Corradi and Claudio López were unable to make the most of promising situations in front of goal. Taibi was also forced into several interventions to keep the deficit to one.

Giovanni Vavassori reacted at half-time by abandoning his initial attacking structure. Pinardi and Gautieri were withdrawn, with Pià and Rolando Bianchi introduced to give greater support to Fausto Rossini. The changes produced more attacking numbers but little improvement in Atalanta’s ability to break through Lazio’s defensive organisation.

Mancini’s side were happy to slow the game down. Lazio no longer needed to take risks and instead relied on their compact shape and collective work. Fernando Couto was dominant in the air, Stam provided strength alongside him and Mihajlovic combined experience with an increasingly important role in organising the defence.

There were occasional chances at both ends, but Lazio remained in control. After Simeone was replaced by Lucas Castroman, Stankovic moved into a more central role while Fiore operated from the left. Castroman himself tested Taibi from distance, forcing the goalkeeper to turn the shot behind, while Mihajlovic continued to threaten from set pieces.

Atalanta's attempts to force an equaliser became increasingly desperate. Their aerial attacks were comfortably dealt with by Lazio’s defence, and Marchegiani was rarely troubled after the early stages. The hosts' lack of creativity was particularly evident in the absence of Cristiano Doni, while Lazio's constant pressure and defensive covering left them with few opportunities to build meaningful attacks.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved victory for Mancini's side. Lazio had won without needing to produce their most spectacular football, instead relying on tactical discipline, intelligent possession and a defence that gave Atalanta almost nothing after Cesar's decisive strike.

Cesar provided the decisive moment; the rest of the team provided the control. In Bergamo, Lazio showed that they could win without having to dominate the scoreboard.

Who played for Atalanta

Taibi, Sala, Carrera, Natali, Foglio, Zenoni, Berretta, Zauri, Gautieri (46' Pià), Pinardi (46' Bianchi), Rossini (66' Dabo)

Substitutes: Calderoni, Rustico, Espinal, Breviario

Manager: Vavassori

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Stam, Couto, Mihajlovic, Cesar, Fiore, Giannichedda, Simeone (63' Castroman), Stankovic, Corradi (87' Favalli), C.Lopez (71' S.Inzaghi)