Dynamic duo put Lazio back on track
- Simon Basten
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 23
Game 33, Serie A
Wednesday April 23, 2025
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Genoa Lazio 0-2
Castellanos and Dia give Lazio three vital points
The team
The match should have been played on April 21, but the death of Pope Francis postponed all sporting events. Marco Baroni decided to place Adam Marusic as right winger to give the team more balance. Hence Manuel Lazzari was right back and Mario Gila returned in defence.
First half
Genoa started much better and in the 10th minute Pinamonti tried a shot which Christos Mandas saved well. Three minutes later Matteo Guendouzi slipped, Morten Frendrup advanced and passed to Andrea Pinamonti who dummied Gila and shot, Mandas saved again.
In the 17th minute the Genoa fans had the brilliant idea to light some coloured smoke bombs on entering the stands. They had staged a fifteen minute protest against the change in the kick-off times of the matches. Play had to be suspended for four minutes and Mandas was even hit by one of them.
The match changer arrived in the 21st minute. Long ball from Mandas to Taty Castellanos who harpooned the ball and advanced. He passed to Mattia Zaccagni who in front of the keeper was fouled from behind by Sebastian Otoa. Last man foul, red card. His Serie A debut lasted just 21 minutes.
Lazio took advantage of the extra man and started to play much better. Manuel Lazzari tried a shot in the 30th minute, saved by Nicola Leali into corner. In the 32nd minute Zaccagni on the left passed to Luca Pellegrini, cross into the box and Castellanos with a spectacular volley gave the Biancocelesti the lead.
Towards the end of the first half Lazzari got injured and was forced off. Enter Pedro, so Marusic moved back.
Second half
Lazio continued to play well and in the 58th minute went close to their second goal. Pellegrini went off on the left, entered the box and from close to the byline sent in a good ball which Nicolò Rovella tried to volley in but the ball went wide. The goal came in the 65th minute. Great ball from Rovella to Boulaye Dia who managed to shoot and beat Leali.
A string of substitutions followed: in came Matias Vecino and Reda Belahyane for Dia and Rovella for the Biancocelesti, Junior Messias, Honest Ahanor and Lorenzo Venturino for Pinamonti, Aaron Martin and Vitinha.
Belayahne’s game lasted just a few minutes as he was sent off for a foul on Morten Thorsby. But nothing changed. Lazio in complete control, good win.
Who played for Genoa
Leali, Otoa, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin (68' Messias), Masini (80' Ekhator), Frendrup, Norton-Cuffy (80' Sabelli), Vitinha (61' Venturino) Thorsby, Pinamonti (68' Ahanor)
Substitutes: Siegrist, Sommariva, Bani, Badelj, Kassa, Zanoli, Barbini, Nuredini
Manager: Vieira
Who played for Lazio
Mandas, Lazzari (45’ Pedro), Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Rovella (68’ Belahyane), Guendouzi, Marusic, Dia (68’ Vecino), Zaccagni (88’ Hysaj), Castellanos (88’ Noslin)
Substitutes: Provedel, Furlanetto, Gigot, Dele-Bashiru, Tchaouna, Provstgaard, Basic, Ibrahimovic
Manager: Baroni
Referee: Ayroldi
Goals: 32’ Castellanos, 65’ Dia
Bookings: Rovella (L), Pinamonti (G), De Winter (G), Sabelli (G)
Red Cards: Otoa (G), Belahyane (L)
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