Young guns show their value

Simon Basten
Nov 28, 2023
3 min read

Season 2013-14

Game 5, Europa League, Group J

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Stadion Wojska Polskiego, Warsaw

Legia Warsaw Lazio 0-2

Lazio’s youngsters demolish Legia but there is controversy over Polish police treatment of fans

In the Europa League the Biancocelesti were in group J together with Trabzonspor, Legia Warsaw and Apollon Limasol. The Turks were on 10 points, Lazio on 8, Appolon 4, Legia 0. The Biancocelesti had to try to avoid arriving second because it would mean that they would have to play in the knock out stage with one of the teams coming down from the Champions League. A win today would be important.

The match

The day before the match the Polish police arrested 149 Lazio supporters. Apparently, a group had been involved in clashes with the police, but there was no proof that any Lazio fans were involved. The authorities said the detentions followed alleged snarls of violence: for example, bottles and stones being thrown at police vans by some of the fans. Reports claim that among those detained were fathers, pensioners, women, and even people with disabilities — raising concerns about the proportionality of the police action. The vast majority were released after paying fines or within days, but 22 remained in custody for a longer period. Some detainees claimed they were asked to sign statements in Polish (which they didn’t understand) and were held without charge for extended periods. The Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta, appealed to the Polish government to accelerate legal proceedings for the detained fans, stressing many might have been innocent. Lazio disputed the scale of the violence and claimed many of their fans were held “for no reason” — that some had requested police escorts to the stadium and were instead detained.

The Biancocelesti began strongly and in the fifth minute Felipe Anderson had a chance but his shot from inside the penalty box went into the stands. In the 24th minute the Lazio scored. Lucas Biglia crossed into the box and Brayan Perea first headed the ball in the air and then, with the goalkeeper coming out of his goal, he tried a second header which lobbed over Dusan Kuciak for Lazio’s 1-0. Legia did nothing and Lazio could have scored with Keita Balde and Alvaro Gonzalez on a Stefan Radu cross.

In the second half, Felipe Anderson tried a shot in the 46th minute but it was well saved by the keeper. Hernanes should have made it two in the 50th minute when all alone in front of Kuciak he shot at the goalkeeper. In the 56th Lazio made it two. Splendid assist from the Brazilian to compatriot Felipe Anderson on the right who scored with a clinical shot. His first goal for the Biancocelesti.

The hosts could have reduced the deficit with Henrik Ojamaa but he missed a sitter on an Etrit Berisha mistake. Vladimir Petkovic then sent in Eddy Onazi, Sergio Floccari and Senad Lulic all of whom could have made it three. Towards the end a great defensive play from Biglia avoided an almost certain goal from Miroslav Radović.

Lazio through to the knock out phase, to be determined whether as group winner or in second place.

Who played for Legia Warsaw

Kuciak, Bereszynski, Rzezniczak, Jodlowiec, Wawrzyniak, Furman (64' Astiz), Vrdoljak, Helio Pinto (46' Ojamaa), Radovic, Brzyski, Dvalishvili (75' Mikita).

Substitutes: Skaba, Broz, Kopczynski

Manager: Urban

Who played for Lazio

Berisha, Cavanda, Ciani, Cana, Radu, A.Gonzalez (81’ Lulic), Biglia, Hernanes, Felipe Anderson (77’ Floccari), Perea, Keita (77’ Onazi)