September 2, 2023: Napoli Lazio 1-2
- Simon Basten
- Sep 2, 2025
- 6 min read
The perfect match
Lazio win in Naples for the second year running playing the perfect game
Also on this day:
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had arrived second and qualified for the Champions League group phase. A good season, many ups and a few downs, but all in all fans were obviously satisfied.
It was to be the final year with the Biancocelesti for Sergej Milinikovic-Savic. In July 2023, he signed for Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club based in Riyadh. Apparently, President Claudio Lotito offered him a lot of money to stay, but the Saudi club offered him a salary that will allow his family to live comfortably for generations. Difficult to say no.
Also leaving were Luka Romero (end of contract), Matteo Cancellieri (loan to Empoli), Luis Maximiano (loan with option to buy to Almeria) and Stefan Radu who had retired. The new arrivals were goalkeepers Christos Mandas (OFI Crete), Luca Sepe (Salernitana – loan), midfielders Daichi Kamada (free agent), Nicolò Rovella (Juventus), Matteo Guendouzi (Olympique Marseille), and forwards Taty Castellanos (Girona) and Gustav Isaksen (Midtjylland).
In Serie A, Lazio were struggling. They had lost the first two games of the season and things were not looking good.
The match: Saturday, September 2, 2023, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples
Maurizio Sarri made just one change compared to the previous match against Genoa: Elseid Hysaj instead of Manuel Lazzari. A logical decision since Napoli were particularly strong on both wings and a better defensive organisation was needed.
Napoli started the game very strongly taking advantage of the Biancocelesti's timid approach. In the 3rd minute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran into the box from the left, made a few movements to try and disorientate the Lazio defenders and shot. Ball deflected into corner. Ten minutes later Piotr Zielinski tried a shot from an impossible position, Ivan Provedel parried into corner. The Pole took the corner kick and Victor Osimhen jumped higher than anyone but his header went wide. In the 21st minute Kvaratskhelia from outside the box, massive whack, Provedel was miraculous.
After half an hour of only Napoli, Lazio woke up. Daichi Kamada on the right to Danilo Cataldi, lob over the Napoli midfield and ball to Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian sprinted down the wing and once inside the box tried to pass to the middle but it was countered by Mathias Olivera. Ball back to Felipetto, quick look, fabulous pass to Luis Alberto, back to the goal on the front post, magic back heel and the Biancocelesti took the lead. A fantastic goal!!!
One minute later Napoli equalised fortuitously. Matteo Politano from the right crossed into the box, Nicolò Casale cleared, ball to Zielinski who shot, deflection from Alessio Romagnoli, Napoli 1 Lazio 1.
In the 36th minute Felipe Anderson, much more lively now, ran down the wing and once inside the box tried a shot that Juan Jesus deflected into corner. This time the Brazilian did not look up, if he had done so he would have seen Luis Alberto all alone in the centre of the penalty area.
In the 40th minute cross from the right by Giovanni DI Lorenzo, Olivera got ready for the big whack but the ball hit the Indian spacecraft on the moon.
The first half ended level but there was the feeling that it was a much more open affair now. Lazio had gained the awareness that Napoli were vulnerable on the counter attack and that there was just the need for the right ball at the right time. The Biancocelesti were also much more organised defensively, and Napoli were having trouble creating chances.
The script was the same in the opening minutes of the second half. After less than 60 seconds Kvaratskhelia crossed from the left for Osimhen, Romagnoli got to the ball first and headed away but to the feet of Zielinsky who promptly shot at goal, no worries for Provedel.
In the 52nd minute Zielinsky from the halfway line tried to pass the ball on but Felipe Anderson intercepted. As the Pole was trying to come to terms with the high ball, Felipetto anticipated him and ran down the wing. Looking up he saw Luis Alberto in the middle, outside the box but central, low pass that the Spaniard deliberately left to Kamada who ran inside the box and from an angled position shot a clinical low ball that ended in the back of the net. Lazio back in front and first goal in Serie A for the Japanese International.
Napoli were on their knees. Matteo Guendouzi substituted Kamada in the 64th minute, Mario Rui took Olivera’s place and Giacomo Raspadori came on for a very tired Kvaratskhelia. The Biancocelesti in four minutes scored two goals, but neither were given due to offsides.
Further substitutions: Pedro for Felipe Anderson, Luca Pellegrini for Hysaj, Giovanni Simeone for Zielinksi and Jesper Lindstrom for Politano.
In the 85th minute Mattia Zaccagni tried a curling shot but it went just wide. In the seven minutes of overtime Sarri took off Ciro Immobile and Zaccagni and threw in Taty Castellanos and Gustav Isaksen. Napoli had one last attempt in the 96th minute but Lindstrom shot over the crossbar.
A magnificent win by Lazio. We’re back!!!!!
Who played for Napoli
Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera (66' Mario Rui) Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski (84' Simeone), Politano (75' Lindstrom), Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia (66' Raspadori)
Substitutes: Gollini, Contini, Zanoli, Ostigaard, Natan, Cajuste, Elmas, Zerbin, Russo
Manager: Garcia
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj (81' Pellegrini), Kamada (65' Guendouzi), Cataldi, Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson (81' Pedro), Immobile (90'+3' Castellanos), Zaccagni (90'+3' Isaksen)
Manager: Sarri
Referee: Colombo
Goals: 30’ Luis Alberto, 32’ Zielinski, 52’ Kamada
Bookings: Zaccagni, Luis Alberto
What happened next
Lazio improved and by mid-February they were in 8th place though still quite far off a Champions League qualification. They then lost three consecutive games and Sarri resigned. He was substituted by Igor Tudor and the situation improved but not enough to qualify for top tier European football. The Biancocelesti did however qualify for the Europa League.
In Coppa Italia Lazio did well, eliminating Roma in the quarter finals but succumbed to Juve in the semis 3-2 on aggregate.
In the Champions League the Biancocelesti managed to reach the last 16 where they were eliminated by Bayern Munich 3-1 on aggregate.
The player with most appearances this season was Felipe Anderson who played in every game whilst the top scorer was Immobile with 11 goals (7 in Serie A).
Let’s talk about Matteo Guendouzi
Mattéo Elias Kenzo Guendouzi Olié was born on April 14, 1999, at Poissy near Paris.
He joined the academy of Paris Saint Germain at the age of 6 and stayed until 2014 when he left for Lorient. He was promoted to the first team in 2016 and made his debut on October 1 in Ligue 1 in the match lost against Nantes. In his two years in the first team he made 30 appearances.
In 2018 he joined Arsenal. He made 82 appearances with one goal in two years before he was loaned out to Hertha BSC in October 2020. Earlier in the summer he had been excluded from Arsenal training and left out of the club’s squad due to his attitude and general conduct. With Hertha he made 24 appearances and scored two goals. In 2021 he was loaned to Olympique Marseille for a season with option to buy. After a first positive year, OM activated the clause. He stayed for two seasons playing 103 games with 10 goals. He then had problems with the manager Igor Tudor and asked to leave. On the last day of the summer transfer window of 2023 he signed for Lazio.
Despite the not last couple of years, Guendouzi has been one of the better Lazio players, quickly embracing the spirit of the club and becoming a fan favourite. He has so far made 94 appearances with 4 goals, not counting the current season.
Guendouzi has represented France at all levels and made his debut for the national team on November 16 2021 against Finland. He was also part of the squad for the 2022 World Cup in which France was beaten in the final by Argentina. He made one appearance in that world cup.
Guendouzi is a great midfielder all-rounder known for his temper on the pitch which has cost him a few reds in the past. He has improved as getting older. One thing one always has with Guendo: 100% commitment to the cause.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League | Super Coppa |
2023-24 | 46 (3) | 33 (2) | 4 (1) | 8 | - | 1 |
2024-25 | 48 (1) | 35 (1) | 2 | - | 9 | - |
2025-26 | 2 (1) | 2 (1) | - | - | - | - |
Total | 96 (5) | 70 (4) | 6 (1) | 8 | 9 | 1 |
Sources
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