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  • Writer's pictureSimon Basten

Nuno Tavares turns on the light, Leao turns it off

Updated: Sep 19

Game 3, Serie A

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Milan 2-2

 

Lazio come from behind and go ahead but Leao equalises for Milan


Official SS Lazio photo

The team


Compared to the previous game, Marco Baroni decided to put Patric in place of departing Nicolò Casale, launch Nuno Tavares as left back, Loum Tchaouna instead of Tijani Noslin and Boulaye Dia for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. A mini revolution with two forwards and two attacking defenders. The most important thing was not to give away an early goal like in the previous matches.


As far as Milan were concerned manager Paulo Fonseca decided to leave both Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez on the bench. A strange move since they have nearly always created havoc in the Lazio defence in recent years.


First half

Official SS Lazio photo

Before the game Lazio remembered Sven-Goran Eriksson, the most victorious manager in the club's history, who had passed away earlier in the week.


The Biancocelesti started well and had an immediate chance after just two minutes. Nuno Tavares on the left, ball to Dia, one-two with Taty Castellanos, and the Senegalese found himself in front of Mike Maignan who ran forward. Dia managed to make contact with the ball that went past the keeper but Strahinja Pavlovic saved on the line.


As mentioned, it was important for Lazio not to concede an early goal. But they did just that. Christian Pulisic took a corner in the 8th minute, Ivan Provedel came off his line to get the ball but was anticipated by Pavlovic who headed it in. An unusual mistake from Ivan.


The game from then on was fairly blocked. Lazio tried to make sure not to concede another goal and were very cautious, Milan seemed content with merely controlling the game. The Biancocelesti did not create much and the match was rather boring. In the 43rd minute Noah Okafor dribbled past a Manuel Lazzari in great difficulty, ball to Pulisic on the right of the box, low cross which Ruben Loftus-Cheek was not able to tap in.


That was all for the first 45 minutes. Some very worried fans out there now.


Second half


Baroni decided to change the entire right flank and put in Adam Marusic and Gustav Isaksen in place of Lazzari and Tchaouna who were in great difficulty. This transformed the match as Lazio were now much stronger on the right. However they also decided to exploit the left wing a lot more and Nuno Tavares turned on the light.


In the 62nd minute Mattia Zaccagni passed to Dia in the Milan half, ball to Tavares, cross in the middle and Castellanos equalised for the Biancocelesti, anticipating the entire Rossonero defence.




In the 67th minute, Zaccagni on the left for Tavares who ran forward, reached the byline, crossed into the middle and Dia neatly tapped the ball in. A fantastic one-two from Lazio, Milan on their knees.




At this point Fonseca made four substitutions: in came Leao, Hernandez, Yunus Musah and Tammy Abraham and out went Samuel Chukwueze, Emerson Royal, Tijani Reijnders and Okafor.


Milan regrouped, found more energy and equalised. In the 72nd minute, Abraham to Leao, splendid pass to Hernandez on the left, cross into the middle, the former Roma forward passed to Leao who controlled the ball and shot under Provedel’s legs. 2-2.


Lazio tried to get back in the lead. In the 70th minute there was a clear hand ball in the box by Filippo Terracciano, but referee Massa, who one can always count on when it comes to decisions against Lazio, said play on. The ball reached Nicolò Rovella who passed to Castellanos on the left, ball to Zaccagni, alone in front of the keeper, he tried an immediate volley but his shot went directly to Maignan.


Neither team wanted a draw but it was Milan in the final stages who went closest to winning the game. In the fourth minute of injury time, Pulisic in the box for Abraham who tried a shot, this time Provedel parried into corner.


Good reaction from Lazio, splendid game in the second half. They could have won but at least they showed signs of improvement. Nuno Tavares is one hell of a player!!!




Who played for Lazio


Provedel, Lazzari (46' Marusic), Patric, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares (90' Hysaj), Tchaouna (46' Isaksen), Guendouzi, Rovella, Zaccagni, Dia (81' Dele-Bashiru), Castellanos (87' Noslin)

Substitutes: Mandas, Furlanetto, Vecino, Pedro, Castrovilli

Manager: Baroni


Who played for Milan

Maignan, Emerson Royal (72' Theo Hernandez), Tomori, Pavlovic, Terracciano, Reijnders (71' Musah), Fofana, Chukwueze (71' Leao), Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Okafor (71' Abraham)

Substitutes: Raveyre, Torriani, Calabria, Zeroli, Bartesaghi, Gabbia, Camarda, Cuenca

Manager: Fonseca


Referee: Massa


Goals: 8' Pavlovic, 62' Castellanos, 66' Dia, 72' Leao


Booked: Fofana (M), Rovella (L), Zaccagni (L), Patric (L), Terracciano (M), Guendouzi (L)


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