There is still hope

Simon Basten
Mar 30, 2024
3 min read

Season 2013-14

Game 31, Serie A

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Parma 3-2

A last second Candreva goal keep Lazio’s European dream alive

At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were ninth, miles away from everything. Manager Vladimir Petković was unable to steer the Lazio ship in the right direction. Not only. He signed a contract to be the new Head Trainer of the Swiss national team at the end of his deal with Lazio in 2014. Lotito took this opportunity to sack him before Christmas and call back Edy Reja to try to get Lazio back on course.

The change seemed to solve things. Lazio were back and in the first six games under Reja came 12 points which included beating Inter and drawing against Roma. The Biancocelesti were currently eighth, one point from a possible European qualification.

The match

Lazio had a problem in midfield since they were missing both Cristian Ledesma as well as Lucas Biglia so Lorik Cana and Eddy Onazi were the central midfielders.

After a deflected Cana shot had almost surprised the Parma keeper in the 4th minute, in the 15th minute the Biancocelesti went ahead. Abdoulay Konko on the right close to the by-line crossed into the middle and Senad Lulic was ready for the appointment.

At this point Parma took over the match. Splendid ball in the 25th minute from Antonio Cassano to Ezequiel Schelotto in the box, fantastic save into corner by Federico Marchetti. A minute later Cassano again, this time with a shot from outside the box which Marchetti parried, the ball arrived to Jonathan Biabiany who lobbed it over the keeper and headed it in for Parma’s equaliser.

The fireworks for this first half were over but there were certainly more to come in the second 45 minutes.

In the 54th minute another Cassano shot was well saved by Marchetti. Then Felipe Anderson was dispossessed by own teammate Lulic who ran all alone towards the Parma penalty area. A 2 against 1 opportunity but the Bosnian did not pass and tried a shot which was partly deflected and Antonio Mirante was able to save. At this point Edy Reja threw in Keita Balde for Cana and a minute later Lazio scored. Onazi to Lulic who saw Miro Klose move in the box, ball to him and there was no chance for Parma when it comes to these types of opportunities for the goal fisher. 2-1 for Lazio.

Parma attacked. In the 75th minute a Marco Parolo shot was only slightly wide and in the 81st they equalised. Biabiany crossed from the left towards the far right of the box, Mattia Cassani crossed into the middle for Cassano, Micheal Ciani anticipated the forward, the ball bounced back to Marchetti, went under his legs and into the net. An absurd goal.

Parma could have made it three with both Parolo and Raffaele Palladino who squandered very favourable opportunities. In the 93rd minute Keita on the left crossed into the middle and in came Antonio Candreva to give Lazio a very important three points.

Lazio could still have hopes for a European qualification.

Who played for Lazio

Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Novaretti (11’ Ciani), Radu, Cana (65’ Keita), Onazi, Candreva, Mauri (85’ Postiga), Lulic, Klose