Modibo moment

Dag Jenkins
Mar 25, 2024
4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Season 2011-12

Game 29, Serie A

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio - Cagliari 1-0

Lazio clinch win with a late goal by their big French defender

Lazio were having a positive season despite some heavy unexpected losses. Since their debut Lazio had won 14 (including both derbies 2-1 and Milan 2-0 at home), drawn 5 and lost 8 (including Palermo 1-5, Siena 0-4 and most recently Catania 0-1, all away). The Biancocelesti were in 3rd position, on 48 points.

Cagliari were currently joint 12th, with Atalanta on 34 points (8 above drop zone, Lecce on 26). The Rossoblu had won 8 (including Roma 2-1 away and 4-2 at home), drawn 10 (including Juventus 1-1 away and lost 10 (including Lazio 0-3 at home). Their most recent game was a 3-0 home win against Cesena.

Lazio needed the three points today for their Champions League hopes. Cagliari were in a relatively comfortable position but could not relax completely yet.

The match

A classic Sunday 3 p.m. kick-off and a decent afternoon with some sun attracted about 30,000 to the Olimpico.

Lazio had a few absences: defender André Dias, midfielder Francelino Matuzalém and forward Miroslav Klose.

Cagliari were without suspended defender Michele Canini who was replaced by Lorenzo Ariaudo.

The first half was a bland affair. Lazio attacked but without conviction and Cagliari defended diligently and tried to unleash speedy Colombian Victor Ibarbo on the counterattack.

Tommaso Rocchi tried his luck with a back heel towards goal, but it was intercepted involuntarily by Francesco Pisano with his hand. No penalty in those days.

Ibarbo had one dangerous run when he even went round Federico Marchetti but then stumbled and shot over the bar before falling into the keeper.

Lazio's only shots were by Cristian Brocchi but were off target.

Lazio were too imprecise with too many wrong passes. Towards the end of the half the Biancocelesti kept Cagliari in their own area but played with long, high balls when they were playing without a tall striker as a target. Halftime Lazio 0 Cagliari 0.

For the second period Reja decided to take off Stefano Mauri, who was having an off day anyway, and bring on big forward Libor Kozak.

The second half continued as the end of the first, but Lazio were too slow and predictable as well as messing up simple passes and crosses.

As the minutes passed, and seeing Lazio's state, the Islanders started to gradually believe they could possibly try and take more than a point away from the capital.

In the 62nd minute the Rossoblu took off Ibarbo and put on Thiago Ribeiro while a minute later Lazio replaced Rocchi with Uruguayan Emiliano Alfaro.

Lazio plodded on while Cagliari waited for an opening to pounce on the break.

On the hour mark Brocchi crossed towards the area where Pisano mishit the ball, and it fortuitously reached Alfaro who turned but shot weakly and Michael Agazzi blocked.

In the 78th minute the Sardinians changed Andrea Cossu for Nenê and two minutes later the Romans tried Antonio Candreva instead of Hernanes.

In the last fifteen minutes Lazio really pushed hard. The result however was endless freekicks in the Cagliari half and five bookings for the visitors in six minutes.

Just as it seemed Cagliari's tactics had thwarted the home side they scored. In the 88th minute, on yet another freekick pumped into the box by Cristian Ledesma, big defender Modibo Diakitè rose up and headed past Agazzi, 1-0.

In the same moment Napoli let their lead against Catania slip away as the Sicilians levelled at 2-2. Double celebrations at the Olimpico.

The game in Rome however was not over yet. Cagliari pegged Lazio back and attacked furiously but on their only real chance Marchetti dived well to deny Swedish midfielder Albin Ekdal.

In the fourth and last minute of added time Candreva almost made it two on the counterattack but his shot came back off the post. Final score: Lazio 1 Cagliari 0.

Lazio had not been at their best but had ultimately found a way to win. A deserved win however at the end of the day as Cagliari were extremely organised but had rarely threatened Marchetti. Lazio had not exactly queued up to score but had pushed forward, albeit confusedly, for the whole game.

Lazio were still 3rd, on 51 points, but now three ahead of Napoli and Udinese who had both drawn and seven ahead of Roma who had lost.

Cagliari were joint 13th, on 34 points with Genoa (six ahead of Lecce in 18th).