Lazio go top of Group F

2022-23 Season

Europa League Group Stage

Group F, Game 5

October 27, 2022

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Rome, Stadio Olimpico

Lazio Midtjylland 2-1

Photo by Simon Basten

Lazio come back from behind to beat Midtjylland and lead the Group F of the Europa League.

The match

An 18.45 start in Rome inevitably did not bring out a massive crowd, about 20,000.

Maurizio Sarri opted for his usual turnover in Europe. Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto were also out injured so he played Toma Basic in midfield and Matteo Cancellieri up front.

In the early stages fortunately, there was no sign of the passive approach shown in Denmark.

Despite the positive start Lazio went a goal down almost immediately. In the 8th minute Mario Gila made a terrible pass in his own half, trying to play it over Gustav Isaksen to Adam Marusic; he instead passed straight to the Dane. The future Lazio forward headed it to a teammate, Marcos Antonio then tried to remedy the situation but the ball again reached Isaksen who turned swiftly and scored with a great curling shot. Lazio 0 Midtjylland 1.

A shock start for Lazio, who really did have to win this game at all costs to have any chance of winning the group (to avoid CL teams) or possibly even qualifying.

Lazio however were in trouble. The Danes had long spells of possession and endless passing phases which Lazio were unable to interrupt, increasingly frustrating the home fans too.

In the 14th minute Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a chance but his volley was too high. In the 20th minute Basic had a shot go just wide and in the 33rd a Felipe Anderson effort was well saved by Jonas Lossi. At this point, Cancellieri was moved to the right and Anderson to the centre of the attack.

In the 36th minute Lazio finally managed to break the spell they were under and shrug off their doubts and anxieties. Mattia Zaccagni did his usual trick on the left, dribbling past a defender and cutting towards the box, where he passed to Anderson who, with his back to the goal, passed back to Milinkovic-Savic who with a precise shot equalised. Lazio 1 Midtjylland 1.

For the first time in this double tie against the "Ulvene", Lazio took control, were more aggressive and started to threaten constantly. In the 45th minute Lazio almost took a half time lead but Milinkovic-Savic' shot was saved into corner by Lossi. Halftime 1-1.

At the beginning of the second half Midtjylland showed they were far from finished. In the 48th minute Edward Chilufya got away from Elseid Hysaj and Cancellieri on the left and passed to Paulinho, quick cross to Anders Dreyer who, poorly marked by Alessio Romagnoli, had a header come back off the crossbar. The threat continued as Romagnoli cleared but only as far as Chilufya whose scissor kick then hit the side netting.

Despite the scare, Lazio were now on the front foot and played with more confidence. Zaccagni burst down the left and played the ball into Anderson who was too far forward and unable to control it but the ball returned to Zaccagni whose shot after a slight deflection hit the top of the crossbar.

In the 53rd minute there were five substitutions: two for Midtjylland - Pione Sisto for Chilufya and Valdemar Andersson - and three for Lazio, out went Marcos Antonio, Basic and Cancellieri and in came Danilo Cataldi, Matias Vecino and Pedro.

It only took the Spaniard from Tenerife five minutes to put Lazio in front. Anderson and Vecino combined and sent Zaccagni careering down towards the left by-line where he put in a low cross, Vecino made no contact but Pedro was there. 2-1 for Lazio!!

Lazio had a chance to possibly close the game in the 65th minute. Anderson sprinted into the box, set up by Vecino, but Lossi did well to deny the Brazilian.

At this stage Lazio pulled back a bit to try and exploit the speed of their forwards. Midtjylland had possession but seemed to have lost their first half assurance. In the 73rd minute Luka Romero replaced an exhausted Zaccagni, finally some match time for the 17-year-old.

In the 77th minute Pedro to Milinkovic-Savic but the Serbs strike was just wide. In the 80th minute Pedro scored again but this time was judged offside by VAR.

In the 79th minute more changes. Nicolò Casale in for Gila while the visitors replaced Paulinho and Emiliano Martinez with Nicholas Dyhr and Juninho.

In the last ten minutes the Jutlanders tried to push forward but the Lazio defence ran no serious risks. Young Romero meanwhile delighted the fans with a few skilful runs and touches, immediately becoming a fan favourite. In the dying seconds on the break Pedro almost got his brace but Lossi did well and saved. Final score Lazio 2 Midtjylland 1.

A good win for Lazio who went top of the group, even if on goal difference. With one match to go the table read Lazio 8 (-1), Sturm Graz 8 (-4), Feyenoord 5 (+3), Midtjylland 5 (+2). Next up were Feyenoord-Lazio and Midtjylland-Sturm Graz. All still very open.

Who played for Lazio

Provedel; Hysaj, Gila (82' Casale), Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Marcos Antonio (55' Cataldi), Basic (55' Vecino); Felipe Anderson, Cancellieri (55' Pedro), Zaccagni (73' Romero).

Substitutes: Maximiano, Magro, Radu, Luis Alberto

Manager: Sarri

Who played for Midtjylland

Lossi; Andersson (53' Thychosen), Dalsgaard, Sviatchenko, Paulinho (82' Dyhr); Martinez (82' Juninho), Charles (61' Kaba), Evander; Isaksen, Dreyer, Chilufya (53' Sisto).

Substitutes: Olafsson, Ugboh, Gartenmann, Kouakou, Byskov, Nibe, Ortiz.

Manager: Capellas.

Referee: Stefanski

Goals: 8' Isaksen, 36' Milinkovic-Savic, 58' Pedro

Bookings: Romagnoli, Andersson, Gila, Vecino, Juninho, Sviatchenko