Two deflections but Lazio superior

Dag Jenkins
Oct 22, 2023
3 min read

Season 2011-12

Game 7, Serie A

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna

Bologna Lazio 0-2

Lazio go second after fine display in Emilia

The match

A pleasant evening brought just under 20,000 spectators for this 8.45 pm kick-off. Before the game a minute's silence was observed in memory of popular GP motorbike driver Marco Simoncelli who was from Emilia-Romagna and had died earlier in the day in a tragic accident in a race in Malaysia.

Bologna were missing defender Mikael Antonsson, midfielders Diego Pérez and Alessandro Diamanti.

Lazio had midfielders Alvaro González, Cristian Brocchi and Stefano Mauri missing.

Lazio started more positively and in the 8th minute hit a post. Christian Ledesma put in a cutting ball, something between a shot and a cross, it was met by Abdoulay Konko whose effort found the woodwork.

A few minutes later a Hernanes header, from a Senad Lulic cross, went just wide.

The hosts only foray up front was a Jimenez shot wide and covered by Federico Marchetti anyway.

In the 23rd minute Lazio took the lead. Nicolò Cherubin was naively dispossessed by Miro Klose near the corner flag and pulled him down for freekick. Hernanes' hammered the ball mid-height into the crowded area where it was then deflected into his own net by Robert Acquafresca and the Romans were in front, 0-1.

At this point Bologna, who had been very subdued, decided to join the action.

The Polish-Italian striker immediately tried to redeem himself but Marchetti was excellent and ready on the front post. Gastón Ramirez then had two decent freekicks saved by the keeper from Salsomaggiore. Another Acquafresca effort was saved off the line by Lulic. Half time Bologna 0 Lazio 1.

Lazio had dominated the first 25 minutes and deservedly scored but the Rossoblu had then come back strongly.

The second half started perfectly for the Biancocelesti who had feared a Bologna onslaught. In the 48th minute on a Djibril Cissè assist, Lulic, with the help of a slight Daniele Portonova deflection, beat Federico Agliardi to give Lazio a more comforting double lead, 0-2.

There was still plenty of time left but the game suddenly seemed over.

In the 58th minute Bologna tried to change things by replacing midfielder Federico Casarini with forward Henry Gimenez and Panagiotīs Kone with Nico Pulzetti.

In the 63rd minute Lazio lost Hernanes to a twisted ankle and Lionel Scaloni came on.

Lazio then became even more defensive in the 71st minute but not by choice as Francelino Matuzalém also limped off with a muscular problem and was replaced by Lorik Cana.

Lazio were in control with an excellent André Dias leading the backline and could have a scored a third with Cissé but first his right foot shaved the post and then his volley was pushed past the post by Agliardi.

Bologna made one last substitution in the 79th minute bringing on Daniele Vantaggiato for fellow forward Acquafresca while in the 86th Lazio brought on Giuseppe Sculli for Lulic.

The Felsinei had one last freekick with Archimede Morleo but Marchetti saved again. The match ended with a thoroughly deserved away win for Lazio. Final score Bologna 0 Lazio 2.

Lazio were now 2nd on 14 points, one behind surprise leaders Udinese on 15.

Bologna were now 19th, with Lecce on 4 points and one from safety (Novara on 5 points).

Who played for Bologna

Agliardi, Raggi, Portanova, Cherubin, Morleo, Casarini (58' Gimenez), Mudingayi, Kone (58' Pulzetti), Ramirez, Di Vaio, Acquafresca (79' Vantaggiato)

Substitutes: Gillet, Garics, Loria, Khrin

Manager: Pioli

Who played for Lazio

Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Dias, Radu, Lulic (86' Sculli), Ledesma, Matuzalem (71' Cana), Hernanes (63' Scaloni), Cissé, Klose