Special K

Dag Jenkins
Feb 9, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Feb 16

Season 2011-12

Game 23, Serie A

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Cesena 3-2

The K factor as Konko is sent off and Lazio 0-2 down but Kozak gets winner

Lazio had won 11 (including derby and Cesena away both 2-1), drawn 5 and lost 5. The Biancocelesti were in 4th position, on 39 points. Their most recent game had been a 2-3 away defeat at Genoa.

So far, Cesena were having difficulties this season. They had won 4, drawn 4 and lost 13. They were currently 19th on 16 points (four from safety, Siena on 20). They however had a game in hand as their home game against Catania on February 4 had been snowed off.

A must win game for Lazio tonight against such lowly and struggling opponents.

The match: Thursday, February 9, 2012, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A Thursday 20.45 kick-off on a freezing evening. The uncharacteristic match day was due to the "Six Nations" rugby game being played at the Olimpico on the Saturday. There were only about 10,000 fans present.

Lazio were missing defenders Andrè Dias, Stefan Radu and Modibo Diakitè plus midfielders Stefano Mauri, Cristian Brocchi and forward Tommaso Rocchi.

The visitors were without defender Steve Von Bergen.

Lazio pressed high and controlled possession in the early stages. The visitors played deep waiting for opportunities on the break. Miro Klose failed to convert two favourable chances although on one Francesco Antonioli was excellent. The Seahorses were dangerous with a Vincenzo Iaquinta long range effort but Federico Marchetti fisted away. Then the Romagnoli struck.

In the 14th minute Hernanes was dispossessed and Vincenzo Iaquinta hurtled down the right and crossed into the area where Luciano Zauri lost his man Adrian Mutu who was free to score, 0-1.

Lazio reacted but without lucidity. They attacked in numbers but every time they lost the ball they looked vulnerable.

Klose had a big chance but Antonioli narrowed the angle and saved while on the counterattack Iaquinta and Mutu combined well but the Romanian's header was high.

In the 32nd minute Mutu picked up a ball in midfield and ran forward undisturbed and once in the box was fouled by Abdoulay Konko. It was a penalty and the French-Senegalese defender was also last man so he was off. Iaquinta put it away coolly, 0-2.

Two nil down and in ten men things were looking pretty grim on this bitterly cold evening.

Lazio then placed Álvaro González at full-back and continued to attack but frenetically and without rationale, hitting a black and white brick wall. Halftime: Lazio 0 Cesena 2.

Reja's decision for the second half was to take off midfielder Antonio Candreva and put on big Czech forward Libor Kozak.

Lazio were transformed. They went forward with fury but now verticalized immediately and found openings. Cesena were in difficulty despite having the extra man.

Klose missed another favourable chance but then decided to be the assist man instead.

In the 53rd minute the Biancocelesti pulled one back. Hernanes, teed up by Klose, hit a brilliant, powerful long range shot that beat Antonioli, 1-2.

Cesena decided to change something and replaced forward Iaquinta with Vincenzo Rennella. Both sides had chances as Mario Santana's strike was just wide and Kozak was slightly late on an open goal opportunity.

Lazio suddenly believed and Cesena were increasingly flustered. In the 61st minute the German forward headed down to Senad Lulic who beat the offside trap and equalised, 2-2.

A remarkable turnaround but it was not finished as only two minutes later Lazio took the lead. In the 63rd minute Kozak side footed the ball into the net in a crowded area, 3-2.

Cesena now had to change the game plan and put on Simone Del Nero for Daniel Pudil in the 65th minute and Roberto Guana for Santana in the 71st.

Lazio after their huge effort to fight back now tired and were forced to defend. Cesena pushed forward but Lazio held firm. The visiting forwards never had any clear-cut chances and the only real threat came in the 84th minute from a long range Gianluca Comotto effort which whistled just over the bar.

For the few last minutes Lazio put on a defender, Lionel Scaloni and brought off match winner Kozak and resisted to clinch the three points. A win which was expected before the game but at halftime had looked extremely unlikely.

A poor Lazio in the first 45 minutes but then a magic 19 minutes had changed everything.

Lazio were now 3rd on 42 points (Udinese had lost 1-2 at home to Milan) while Cesena were still 19th but now 7 points from safety (Siena had beaten Roma 1-0 at home).

Who played for Lazio

Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Zauri, Lulic, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Gonzalez, Candreva (46' Kozak, 84' Scaloni), Hernanes, Klose