Lazzari Rising
- Simon Basten
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
Game 21, Serie A
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Stadio Bentegodi, Verona
Verona Lazio 0-1
A deflected Lazzari cross gives Lazio a much-needed win
The team
No more Matteo Guendouzi and Taty Castellanos, sold for a good profit, nor Toma Basic, injured, and Mattia Zaccagni, suspended, Maurizio Sarri was forced to play with Kenneth Taylor who arrived from Ajax just a couple of days prior to this game and place both Gustav Isaksen as well as Matteo Cancellieri on the wings. On the bench was also Petar Ratkov another new acquisition. One just hoped that the Italian referees did not bend the rules once more when it comes to Lazio.
First half
Four minutes and massive chance for the Biancocelesti. Cancellieri on the left with a good pass to Isaksen who rushed towards the box anticipated by Nicolas Valentini who fumbled allowing the Dane to move quickly towards the goal. His shot was deflected by the Argentinian and went up into the air, Tijani Noslin ran towards it, open goal chance, but his header went over the crossbar.
Nothing much happened for then on. Lazio with the usual difficulty in creating goal opportunities but solid defensively, Verona just the same, maybe content with keeping the draw. But in the 41st minute Domagoj Bradaric with a volley from outside the box gave Ivan Provedel some work to do, probably pleased he could warm up a little.
Second half
The hosts in the 55th minute were dangerous when on the counter attack Martin Frese reached the by-line and crossed low towards the centre, Provedel managed to get a hand to the ball and just when Bradaric was about to shoot Luca Pellegrini managed to kick the ball away.
At this point Sarri sent in Ratkov for Noslin, first game with Lazio for the new centre forward, and Manuel Lazzari for Pellegrini. Later on, in came Nicolò Rovella, finally after his long injury, and Pedro in place of Danilo Cataldi and Isaksen. For Verona in came first Amin Sarr and Daniel Mosquera for Gift Orban and Giovane plus later Unai Núñez and Suat Serdar for Armel Bella-Kotchap and Roberto Gagliardini.
After a Cancellieri shot which finished wide in the 56th minute, in the 72nd the Biancocelesti had a free kick dead centre just outside the box. Adam Marusic took it and the shot was well saved by Lorenzo Montipò. Five minutes later Antoine Bernede, favoured by Mario Gila slipping, from a favourable position kicked the ball just wide.
In the 79th minute Matias Vecino to Cancellieri on the right, who for once looked up to see who was coming, and passed a brilliant ball to Lazzari who tried a cross which was deflected by Victor Nelsson into his own net. Lazio ahead with a stroke of luck.
Lazio buttoned up and relied on the counter attack. Pedro in the 87th minute tried a shot which was well saved by Montipò. After a possible penalty for Verona which was not given due to a blatant offside, in the 94th minute Alessio Romagnoli to Ratkov on the counter attack, excellent pass to Cancellieri who instead of passing back to him decided to go solo thus wasting a chance for the 2-0, but the end was in sight and the Biancocelesti won.
Not a great match but at least some indication that Taylor and Ratkov could be very useful.
Final note: once more the Lazio fans were spectacular.
Who played for Verona
Montipò, Valentini, Nelsson, Bella Kotchap (76' Nunez), Bradaric, Niasse (87' Al Musrati), Gagliardini (76' Serdar), Bernede, Frese, Giovane (68' Mosquera), Orban (68' Sarr)
Substitutes: Perilli, Toniolo, Oyegoke, Slotsager, Kastanos, Harroui, Ebosse, Cham
Manager: Zanetti
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (55' Lazzari), Vecino, Cataldi (69' Rovella), Taylor (90'+1' Belahyane), Isaksen (69' Pedro), Noslin (55' Ratkov), Cancellieri
Substitutes: Mandas, Furlanetto, Provstgaard, Hysaj, Nuno Tavares
Manager: Sarri
Referee: Guida
Goal: 79’ Nelsson (og)
Booked: Bella Kotchap (V), Cancellieri (L), Valentini (V)
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