Semi Finals, Intertoto Cup, First Leg
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Olympique Marseille 1-1
Lazio play well but Méité goal cancels out Di Canio opener to make Marseille favourites ahead of return game
Lazio had got through the quarter finals eliminating Tampere United from Finland, 3-0 at home and 1-1 away. Now came a test of different calibre.
In the previous round the Olympique Marseille had eliminated Young Boys from Switzerland 5-3 on aggregate (3-2, 2-1).
The match
A decent crowd of about 25,000 turned up despite the holiday season and the heat. Lazio were missing their star striker Tommaso Rocchi and had Paolo Di Canio and Roberto Muzzi up front while Marseille answered with Ribéry and Niang.
The game started off very tight with neither team wanting to risk much. Lazio in particular seemed fearful and tense. The French were better organized and relaxed and were content to control the game. They were also fitter, having a longer period of pre-season training in their legs.
Lazio suffered Niang's speed and in the 25th minute only a last-ditch tackle by Manuel Belleri prevented the Senegalese striker from having a one -on-one with Sereni.
Things were livened up on the half hour mark when Di Canio and Abdoulaye Meite got involved in a scuffle but only the Roman was booked.
In the 42nd minute Lazio took the lead. It was Di Canio, the liveliest until then, who netted from close range after a Emilson Cribari header off a Fabio Liverani free kick. Halftime Lazio 1 OL Marseille 0. A balanced game so far with few goal scoring chances.
The second half proved more exciting. Lazio came out on top and found a better rhythm. They attacked more and looked as if they could get a second goal. Christian Manfredini in particular in the 60th minute wasted a glorious chance after being teed up by Di Canio.
Lazio threw on fresh legs and forwards Goran Pandev and Igli Tare, but just when the Biancocelesti were pushing hardest for a crucial double lead, the visitors equalised. In truth they had already gone close in the 68th minute when Matteo Sereni saved from a Habib Beye header. In the 70th minute a long range shot by Taye Taiwo hit the post but came back into play perfectly for Meite to beat Sereni. Lazio 1 OL Marseille 1.
Lazio were flustered for a few minutes but then went for a winner. They went extremely close with a Tare header which hit the post and then with a Liverani free kick which went over the bar by a whisker. Final score 1-1.
An even game which Lazio had probably deserved to win. Lazio were applauded off the field by their fans. The French however were now strong favourites with today's draw and the possibly vital away goal. It would be tough for Lazio in a week's time at the Velodrome.
Who played for Lazio
Sereni, Belleri, Cribari, Sannibale, Zauri, Manfredini (84' De Silvestri), Firmani, Liverani, César, Di Canio (70' Tare), Muzzi (65' Pandev)
Substitutes: Peruzzi, Zaccardi, Ciani, Melara
Manager: D. Rossi
Who played for Olympique Marseille
Carrasso, Beye, Dehu, Méité,Taiwo, Nasri (82' Ferreira), Lamouchi, Oruma, Koke (64' Mendoza), Ribéry (90' Batlles), Niang
Substitutes: Quesnel, Fernandes, Luyindula, Nakata
Manager: Fernandez
Referee: Megia Davila
Goals: 42' Di Canio, 70' Méité
Sources
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