Milinkovic-Savic to the rescue

Dag Jenkins
Aug 27, 2023
4 min read

Season 2017-18

Game 2, Serie A

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona

Chievo-Lazio 1-2

A late goal by the Serb gives Lazio first league win of the season

The season had started in fantastic style. On August 13, Lazio had defeated Juventus 3-2 to win the Supercoppa Italiana. Lazio went 2-0 up with two Immobile goals but Paulo Dybala responded with a late brace of his own before Alessandro Murgia got Lazio’s winner in the 93rd minute. Lazio lifted their 4th Supercoppa.

Serie A had then started on August 20, a disappointing 0-0 home draw against SPAL. Today was the second league fixture.

Chievo Verona were one of Lazio's bête noires but only in Rome while away in Verona the Biancocelesti had a much better record.

They had started the season well winning 2-1 away at Udinese with goals by Inglese and Birsa.

Not an easy game for Lazio today but they could count on their favourable record away to Chievo.

The match

A hot and humid Sunday night kick-off saw about 10,000 spectators gather at the Bentegodi. A minute's silence was observed in memory of the victims of the recent earthquake in Ischia (an island off Naples).

Lazio were missing Felipe Anderson and Keita Baldé while Lucas Leiva was making his Serie A debut.

Chievo were without defender Nenad Tomovic plus forwards Mariusz Stępiński and Riccardo Meggiorini.

Lazio played in their electric blue away kit while Chievo were in their classic yellow.

After a cautious start by both sides Lazio went in front in the 11th minute. Luis Alberto swung in a corner, the hosts' keeper Stefano Sorrentino mistimed his jump and Ciro Immobile, who was lurking on the far post, headed in, 0-1.

A perfect start for the Biancocelesti but things soon got complicated. Chievo were faster, fresher and more reactive. They took the game to Lazio and went close to an equaliser several times. Thomas Strakosha saved twice on Lucas Castro headers and Stefan Radu on the goalline managed to deflect a Roberto Inglese strike behind for a corner.

Halfway through the first half the referee called for a hydration break due to the oppressive heat.

Lazio had a rare attack just after the half hour mark as Luis Alberto set up Immobile who went round the keeper but stumbled and lost the moment.

The goal was coming for Chievo and it came in the 34th minute. Ivan Radovanovic shot and Wallace blocked but the ball hit Inglese and ended up in the path of Manuel Pucciarelli's who put it under the crossbar, 1-1.

Chievo almost scored a second a few minutes later but Strakosha denied Castro again.

The first half ended and the stats were all in favour of Chievo; 57% possession, 8 shots, 6 corners and 19 crosses into the area.

There were no changes for the second half and Chievo still pushed more but with less intensity.

On the hour mark Lazio made two changes; off went Leiva and Marco Parolo and on came Felipe Caicedo and Jordan Lukaku.

Lazio now looked more positive as Lukaku on one wing and Dusan Basta on the other kept Chievo further back.

Chievo still threatened occasionally with Valter Birsa and Inglese but were unable to keep the first half's rhythm.

It was now Lazio who had more chances as Immobile threatened with a header, Caicedo lost his footing in a favourable position and later King Ciro fired into the side netting.

The climatic conditions were uncomfortable and in the 75th minute the "Mussi Volanti" (Flying Donkeys) brought on Boštjan Cesar for Dario Dainelli and in the 80th Luca Garritano for Pucciarelli. Meanwhile Lazio introduced Adam Marusic for Basta.

The game was still balanced but Lazio attacked more.

In the 84th minute the Veronesi tried bringing on bogey man Sergio Pellissier who often scored against Lazio.

Lazio were not particularly lucid or organized but their determination was rewarded in the 89th minute. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic picked the ball up outside the area and struck a wonderful shot into the low right-hand corner, 1-2.

In the four minutes of added time Chievo did not give up and went close with another Castro header but it was just over the bar. Final score : Chievo 1 Lazio 2.

A tough game but an excellent three points after the disappointing home draw on their debut. Lazio had been second best in the first half but grew and improved in the second, also helped by Chievo losing energy. Chievo had gone for a sprint start while Lazio, more of a diesel with their bigger players, had lasted the distance and won it with a moment of brilliance.

Chievo felt a bit hard done by. They had played very well but faded and were punished by Lazio's superior quality.

Next up after the international break Lazio would play Milan of former player Lucas Biglia.

Who played for Chievo

Sorrentino, Cacciatore, Dainelli (75' Cesar), Gamberini, Gobbi, Castro, Radovanovic, Hetemaj, Birsa, Pucciarelli (80' Garritano), Inglese (84' Pellissier)

Substitutes: Pavoni, Seculin, Bani, Jaroszynski, Bastien, Depaoli, Rigoni, Leris, Vignato

Manager: Maran

Who played for Lazio

Strakosha, Wallace, de Vrij, Radu, Basta (80' Marusic), Parolo, Leiva (59' Caicedo), Lulic (59' Lukaku), Milinkovic-Savic, Luis Alberto, Immobile