Goalless draw in front of Gazza

Simon Basten
Nov 22, 2022
2 min read

Season 2012-13

Game 5, Europa League Group J

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Tottenham Hotspur 0-0

With Paul Gascoigne in the stands, Lazio and Tottenham draw in an exciting match.

In Europa League Lazio had won two (Maribor and Panathinaikos at home) and drawn two (at Tottenham and in Athens) and were leading the group with 8 points. Spurs were second on 6, Panathinaikos and Maribor on 4. A win today would mean that they would qualify for the next round and clinch first place.

The day before the game a group of 15-50 masked thugs attacked a pub in Rome where the Spurs fans were gathered. The attackers used knives, metal poles, hammers, clubs, and tear gas and around 10 Brits were injured and at least one stabbed. The media immediately indicated Lazio fans as the culprits due to a crash helmet found on the scene which had a Biancoceleste sticker on it. The news went viral and Lazio ended up in the media worldwide for all the wrong reasons. But at the end of the day, it was a group of fascists responsible for the raid and no direct link to the fans was proven. But by the time the dust had settled, the damage had been done.

The match

Before the game, Paul Gascoigne, former player of both teams, went on the pitch and did a lap of honour. Many people came to the match just to see him. It was the first time at the Olimpico for Gazza since he had left in 1995.

In the 5th minute Tottenham scored. Andy Carroll to Gareth Bale who dribbled past Federico Marchetti and scored. However, the goal was disallowed for a very dubious off side.

Lazio emerged in the 19th minute when Cristian Ledesma tried a shot, Hugo Lloris fumbled and the ball went into corner after hitting the post. The Brits were dangerous on a Bale shot and then with Steven Cauker whose header went wide. In the 27th minute Pedro Cavanda crossed from the left for Libor Kozak but his shot was parried. Again, the Czech with a chance five minutes later but his header off a Stefano Mauri cross was off target.

In the second half Lazio had the main chances with Kozak who in the 61st minute was alone in front of Lloris but his shot went wide. He had another opportunity in the 65th minute but his attempt was saved by Lloris. The last opportunity was for Michael Ciani but his header was well parried by the Spurs keeper.

Panathinaikos beat Maribor and so both Lazio and Spurs would proceed to the knock out phase. The last match would determine who would arrive first.

Who played for Lazio

Marchetti, Cavanda, Biava, Ciani, Radu, Ledesma, Mauri, Gonzalez, Hernanes (69’ Ederson), Lulic (79’ Candreva), Kozak (79’ Floccari)