August 10, 2024: Cádiz Lazio 0-1

Simon Basten
Aug 10
5 min read

Optimism

Lazio win at Cadiz with a Noslin goal in the second half. Can one be optimistic for the upcoming season?

Also on this day: August 10, 2013: Crystal Palace Lazio 0-1, Friendly. Lazio dominate for an hour, score with Klose, but then have to thank Marchetti

The season so far

The previous season had been a troubled one. Lazio did not perform as well as in the previous one and there were a lot of problems. Manager Maurizio Sarri resigned in March and after a single game with his assistant Giovanni Martusciello on the bench, Igor Tudor took over and led the Biancocelesti to a Europa League qualification

This season there were already lots of comings and goings. The new players arriving were midfielder Fisayo Dele Bashiru (Hatayspor), forwards Tijani Noslin (Verona), Boulaye Dia and Loum Tchaouna (Salernitana) plus defender Nuno Tavares (Arsenal on loan with an obligation to buy). Leaving Lazio were legends Luis Alberto (Al-Duhail Sports Club), Felipe Anderson (end of contract) and Ciro Immobile (Besiktas) plus Luigi Sepe (end of loan), Matteo Cancellieri (Parma on loan), Sana Fernandes (NAC Breda on loan) and Mohamed Fares (Panserraïkos on loan).

Lazio also had a new manager, Marco Baroni, the previous year at Verona.

The Biancocelesti had been in their pre-season training at Auronzo di Cadore and were now preparing for the start of Serie A. They had played six friendlies, beating Auronzo, Trapani, Hansa Rostock and Frosinone and drawn with Triestina and Southampton. Today was the last pre-season friendly against Spanish second tier Cádiz for the Trofeo Ramon de Carranza. They had already played the tournament twice, in 1999 (beaten in the final by Betis Sevilla on penalties after winning the semi-final against Cádiz) and in 2004 where they lost both to Valencia and Cádiz.

The match: Saturday, August 10, 2024, Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, Cádiz

The Biancocelesti were a little bit tired and one could see that right from the start. Cadiz started well and Chris Ramos had a chance in the 4^th minute but his header was well saved by Ivan Provedel. He tried again ten minutes later but his header this time went wide. The match was a little bit boring. Lazio merely limited themselves to controlling it trying to reduce the threats as much as possible. Towards the end of the first half Gustav Isaksen got a ball from Matias Vecino, he turned around and shot immediately, saved by David Gil.

In the 49^th minute Tijani Noslin dispossessed a defender, ball to Taty Castellanos, back to the Dutchman who on the edge of the penalty area passed to Mattia Zaccagni but his shot was saved by the keeper. In the 62^nd minute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru went off alone towards the box, just outside he tried a shot which was saved by the keeper, the ball went up in the air and was perfect for Noslin, who headed wide despite the open goal chance. In the 66^th minute a Loum Tchaouna shot was again saved by David Gil. The Frenchman missed a sitter two minutes later. But in the 71^st minute, Lazio finally scored. Corner taken by Tchaouna towards the front post, Noslin headed it in.

In the 74^th minute Castellanos hit the woodwork on a good Dele-Bashiru cross. In the dying minutes of the game Provedel managed to save a not so dangerous shot by Etta Eyong Blaise.

A good performance from Lazio, one could almost be optimistic for the season.

Who played for Cádiz

David Gil (46' Caro), Fali (88' Samu Almagro), Chust (64' Glauder), Alex (64' Kouamè), Roger (76' Eyong Blaise), Alejo (46' De La Rosa, 80' Bastida), Chris Ramos (76'Mwepu), Matos (88' Julio), Iza (64' Zaldua), Ontiveros, Moussa

Substitutes: Sobrino, Brian, Borja Vazquez, Perez

Manager: Paco Lopez

Who played for Lazio

Provedel, Lazzari (46' Pellegrini), Patric, Romagnoli (65' Gila), Marusic (65' Hysaj), Guendouzi, Vecino (65' Cataldi), Castrovilli (46' Dele-Bashiru), Isaksen (46' Noslin), Castellanos, Zaccagni (65' Tchaouna)

Substitutes: Mandas, Furlanetto, Renzetti, Casale, Tavares, Ruggeri, Milani, Rovella, Akpa Akpro

Manager: Baroni

Referee: Orellana

Goal: 71’ Noslin

What happened next

Lazio started the season well. At the end of the first half they were fourth. Not only. They also topped the Europa League table. It looked like the season could be a triumph despite the massive changes which had taken place. Marco Baroni had managed to adopt an optimal turnover of players between mid-week and weekends which was giving excellent results.

In the second half of the season Lazo began to falter. The way too many injuries reduced the turnover possibilities and Baroni's decision to almost always use the same players did not pay off in the end. The Biancocelesti ended up seventh and did not qualify for Europe.

In the Europa League they managed to reach the quarter finals but were knocked out by Bodo/Glimt on penalties. They also reached the quarters in Coppa Italia and were eliminated by Inter.

Gustav Isaksen topped the appearances (49), Taty Castellanos and Pedro were the top scorers with 14 goals.

Let’s talk about Tijani Noslin

Tijani Noslin was born in Amsterdam on July 7, 1999. He is a right winger who can also play as centre forward.

He debuted professionally for USV Hercules in the Dutch third tier in 2018. In 2020 he signed for DHSC in the fourth tier but then had a stroke of luck. He was noticed by Wesley Sneijder and in 2021 he signed for Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie where he played for two and a half seasons with 71 appearances and 10 goals.

In January 2024 he signed for Verona in Serie A under manager Marco Baroni. He gave a massive contribution to the Gialloblu’s survival in Serie A despite the large changeover of players mid-season.

In the summer of 2024 Baroni became the new manager of Lazio and his first request was the signing of Noslin. He did not come cheap (€15 million) so a lot was expected of him. Unfortunately, his performances were rather disappointing. Maximum effort but limited results. He made 39 appearances with 6 goals. It is hoped that maybe under Maurizio Sarri he can improve.