Lazio Cruise Past Chievo with Candreva and Keita the Difference

Simon Basten
Feb 2, 2024
3 min read

Season 2013-14

Game 22, Serie A

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Stadio Bentegodi, Verona

Chievo Verona Lazio 0-2

Lazio claim a commanding 2–0 away win over Chievo at the Bentegodi in a rain-soaked contest, delivering a composed performance that boosts confidence ahead of the upcoming derby.

At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were ninth. Manager Vladimir Pectovic was unable to steer the Lazio ship in the right direction. Not only. He signed a contract to be the new Head Trainer of the Swiss national team at the end of his deal with Lazio in 2014. Lotito took this opportunity to sack him before Christmas and call back Edy Reja to try to get Lazio back on course.

Lazio first beat Inter, then drew with Bologna, won at Udine and drew at home with Juventus. They were ninth, still a long way to go.

The match

Heavy rain set the scene in Verona and contributed to a slow, cautious opening. Lazio dominated possession early on, circulating the ball patiently as they looked for an opening. The breakthrough arrived in the 6th minute with their first incisive move: Keita Balde burst down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross that Antonio Candreva met first time with a left-footed finish to give the visitors the lead.

Chievo responded with intent, creating chances through Cyril Thereau and Alberto Paloschi. The latter came close with a header that drifted narrowly wide, while Gennaro Sardo later tested Lazio with a dangerous shot-cum-cross that missed by inches. Lazio remained threatening, and Candreva nearly doubled the advantage midway through the half, crashing a 25-metre free kick against the crossbar.

The Biancocelesti continued to control proceedings after the break, limiting Chievo’s space and chances. Lazio went close again when Keita attempted an audacious backheel from a Candreva assist, only for Christian Puggioni to intervene. The visitors were dealt a blow on the hour mark when Lucas Biglia picked up a booking that would rule him out of the derby.

Chievo pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Lazio struck again to seal the match. Candreva once more provided the spark, threading a superb pass through to Keita, whose shot took a decisive deflection to wrong-foot Puggioni and make it 2–0.

With the result effectively settled, Lazio managed the closing stages with maturity, threatening on the counter through Miro Klose and Biglia while denying Chievo any clear route back into the game. Keita departed to warm applause late on, replaced by Alvaro Gonzalez, as Lazio comfortably saw out the victory.

The final whistle confirmed a professional away win and three valuable points — a timely morale boost as Lazio turn their attention to the looming derby.

Who played for Chievo

Puggioni, Frey, Dainelli (18' Canini), Cesar, Sardo, Bentivoglio (62' Pellissier), L. Rigoni, Hetemaj (44' Radovanovic), Dramè, Théréau, Paloschi

Substitutes: Agazzi, Squizzi, Bernardini, Rubin, Claiton, Lazarevic, Kupisz, Stoian

Manager: Corini

Who played for Lazio

Berisha, Biava, Dias, Radu, Cavanda, Biglia, Ledesma, Lulic, Candreva (92' Crecco), Keita (84' A. Gonzalez), Klose (89' Perea) Substitutes: Marchetti, Strakosha, Novaretti, Cana, Onazi, Pereirinha, Felipe Anderson