2022-23 Season
Game 24
February 27, 2023
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Sampdoria 1-0
Despite having numerous chances to score, Lazio need a Luis Alberto gem to beat struggling Sampdoria
The team
Maurizio Sarri has the entire team available though some in better form than others. He decides to play with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in midfield, Manuel Lazzari at right back and Pedro, with a mask after his nose was broken in the previous match, in attack. On the bench for a taste of the game, Mattia Zaccagni and Alessio Romagnoli.
The match
Lazio start strongly but Sampdoria defend very well creating density at the back and making it difficult for Lazio to create chances. Adding to the equation is the bad form of Milinkovic-Savic, who makes quite a number of bad passes. Sarri though had stressed that the Serb lost four kilos in four days due to stomach flu, so one can’t really expect him at 100%.
The first chance arrives in the 21st minute. Luis Alberto’s corner is headed by Milinkovic-Savic towards Ciro Immobile. King Ciro tries to volley it in but he kicks against his hand. In the 29th minute Sampdoria have a chance. One-two Tommaso Augello - Sam Lammers, ball to Manolo Gabbiadini who opens up to the upcoming Mickael Cuisance on the right. The Frenchman goes into the box and shoots, Adam Marusic manages to send the ball into corner.
In the 36th minute Pedro is "romantically" hugged by Alessandro Zanoli on the edge of the penalty box. It looks like a penalty but not for the referee.
Five minutes later, Felipe Anderson shoots from outside the box. The shot is central but Emil Audero fumbles, Pedro is the fastest towards the ball and from almost the goal line on the right tries a shot but he hits the woodwork. The ball travels to the other side to Immobile who, from a very difficult position, shoots too high.
Second half
Lazio do their utmost in the beginning of the second half to get Sampdoria to score. First in the 52nd minute, Tomas Rincon tries a long pass forward to Meddi Leris, Marusic intercepts but heads the ball to Gabbiadini on the edge of the area but his shot is comfortably saved by Ivan Provedel. A minute later Lammers crosses towards the centre from the right, Gabbiadini tries to anticipate everybody but his header is wide. In the 56th minute Harry Winks crosses towards the box, Lammers is in a good position but his header is again saved by Provedel without too much trouble.
Sarri has had enough and in the 57th minute in come Matias Vecino and Zaccagni for Danilo Cataldi and Pedro.
Colossal chance for Lazio in the 60th minute. Zaccagni makes a long pass to Marusic in the box on the left. The Lazio left back runs towards the ball, beats Zanoli to it and chips it for Immobile unmarked. King Ciro again shoots too high. Not much luck for Ciro at the Olimpico in the last couple of games.
In the 68th minute Marusic flies down the left wing and passes to Immobile who lets the ball go under his legs for Milinkovic-Savic. The Serb gives it back to Marusic who does not connect well with the ball and he sends it wide. In the 74th minute Luis Alberto from the centre-left crosses into the box, Bruno Amione clears, ball to Felipe Anderson whose volley is well saved by Audero.
In the 80th minute, Felipe Anderson crosses into the box, Bram Nuytink clears but it falls perfectly for Luis Alberto who runs towards the ball and from twenty metres kicks it into the top right hand corner. A magnificent goal and Lazio finally break the stalemate.
Lazio fall back to defend the 1-0, Sampdoria do not have the strength to equalise. Game over. Not a great match from Lazio but three more points, thanks to Luis Alberto.
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Lazzari (85' Hysaj), Casale, Patric, Marusic;, Milinkovic (85' Basic), Cataldi (57' Vecino), Luis Alberto;, Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Pedro (57' Zaccagni).
Substitutes: Maximiano, Adamonis, Romagnoli, Gila, Radu, Fares, Pellegrini, Marcos Antonio, Romero, Cancellieri.
Manager: Sarri
Who played for Sampdoria
Audero, Zanoli, Nuytinck, Amione, Leris, Winks, Rincon, Cuisance (71' Ilkhan), Augello, Gabbiadini (71' Jesé), Lammers.
Substitutes: Turk, Ravaglia, Oikonomou, Murru, Sabiri, Yepes, Malagrida, Paoletti, De Luca.
Manager: Stankovic
Referee: Colombo
Goal: 80’ Luis Alberto
Booked: Leris, Gabbiadini, Vecino, Casale
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