Lazio’s winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt last night after drawing 1-1 with Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi.
After a relatively even first half, Lazio took the lead in the 42nd minute after Evangelos Moras’s costly defensive error allowed for Stefan Lulic to score his second goal of the season.
However after a rash foul bv Luis Candava in the penalty area, Hellas eqaulised through a calm penalty kick scored by their captain Luca Toni.
Hellas Verona
Rafael – 5.5 – Untroubled
A fairly quiet game for the Verona goalkeeper who was rarely called upon. He could do nothing about the goal scored past him and did well to prevent a Frederik Sorensson own goal in the second half. Occasionally wasteful in possession but overrall a decent performance.
Ivan Martic – 4.5 – Absentee
A poor display from the left back, offered very little going forwards and was substituted at half time through injury.
Rafael Marquez – 6 – Classy
Marquez was classy as always in possession, distributing the ball with great precision. And despite his lack of pace, he dealt well with the threat of Djodevic who featured rarely in the Hellas penalty are. A professional performance.
Evangelo Moras – 4.5 – Lucky
Despite being defensively solid, Moras was far too clumsy on the ball and ultimately cost his side a goal through a dreadful attempt at a clearance.
Alessandro Agostini – 4.5 – Naive
An apathetic performance from the Verona left back, provided no surging runs throughout the game, even after the dismissal of Candava. Also he offered no resistance to the numerous crosses of Candreva, who ultimately provided the assist in the 42nd minute.
Emil Halfredsson – 7 – Superb
A constant presence in the centre of midfield for the whole 90 minutes. Tracked back at every opportinity and also offered an offensive outlet when going forwards. Rarely lost the ball and possibly Verona’s best player on the night.
Panagiotis Tachtsidis – 5 – Subdued
Outshadowed by his Icelandic counterpart and provided no creativity in midfield. Allowed for Onazi and Biglia to have too much of the possession in the first half and was ultimately withdrawn in the 78th minute.
Gustavo Campanharo – 5.5 – Slow
Hardly featured in the first half, allowing for the Lazio midfield to dominate possession at times. However after the withdrawal of Onazi in the 56th minute, he began to see a lot more of the ball and contributed also defensively.
Bosko Jankovic – 5.5 – Hard
Did particulary well in the first half and got the Better of Candava on many occasions.However his hard work rarely led to any clear cut chances and was he also withdrawn at half time, perhaps due to injury.
Nicolas Lopez – 7 – Dangerous
In addition to Hallfredsson, Lopez was the Gialloblu’s best performer against Lazio. A constant thorn in the side of Lazio captain Radu and was perhaps unfortunate not to score late on in the second half after a solid save by Marchetti down to his left hand side. A threat for the entire night.
Luca Toni – 6.5 – Solid
The goalscorer on the night for the Mastini and probably should of had more. An unlucky(yet correct) offside call ruled out a fine left footed finish in the first half and also a uncharacteristic missed header ruined his chances of increasing his tally for the season. A handful for Ciani and De Vrij for the entire evening, a fine performance from the Verona captain.
Substitutes
Frederik Sorenson – 5 – Quiet
A timid performance after his second half introduction. Didn’t particulary dominate in the air and featured rarely in the Lazio half. His most offensive moment was nearly scoring a spectacular own goal in the second half, but fortunately Rafael was aware and kept it out.
Juanito Gomes – 6 – Spark
After a half time introduction, Gomes provided the spark needed to ignite the Veronese attack. Was a constant handful for Candava and eventually won the penalty after a tricky run into the penalty area.
Artur Ionita – N/A
Lazio
Federico Marchetti – 6.5 – Intelligent
A wise display from the Lazio goalkeeper who anticipated every ball over his defence in the first half. Was unafraid to come out of his box and performed well throughout the game.
Luis Candava – 4 – Nightmare
After a torrid 69 minutes where both Jankovic and Gomes got the better of him, he finally ended his night by giving away a penalty and receiving a red card for doing so . A woeful performance from the Lazio right back.
Stefan De Vrij – 5.5 – Useful
Did little to contrbibute to the game but made no glaring defensive errors and rarely gave the ball away.
Michael Ciani – 6.5 – Solid
Unlike his defensive partner, Ciani was always keen to get stuck in and won the ball many times despite was in his way. Gave away a lot of fouls but did well to deal with the size of Luca Toni.
Stefan Radu – 5 – Average
The Lazio captain did little to affect the game. Struggled with the pace of Lopez and when in possession played it very safe for the entire 90 minutes. An average performance.
Ogenyi Onazi – 6 – Effective
Substituted after 59 minutes and 10 minutes later Lazio conceded. Not particulary technical in the centre of midfield but effective in the break up of play and maybe would of helped Lazio cling on to a victory.
Lucas Biglia – 6 – Laboured
Lazio’s best passer of the ball on the night but saw a lot less of the ball after Candava’s dismissal. A promising first half but faltered slightly in the second.
Marco Parolo – 5.5 – Frustrating
Would often find himself in good pockets of space outside of the Hellas penalty area but would often lose the ball when in good positions.
Andrea Candreva – 6 – Threatening
When going forwards Candreva often got the better of Agostini and did create the first goal(despite the costly Moras error). Had an impressive first half and worked half defensively in the second.
Senad Lulic – 5.5 – Goal
Despite his goal, Lulic did little to impact the first half and gave the ball away on far too many occasions. Understandably withdrawn at half time.
Filip Djorevic – 6 – Tireless
A tough evening for the Serbian striker who didn’t have the easiest of games. Was marked well by Marquez and Moras and didn’t create much space to showcase his attacking ability.
Substitutes
Felipe Anderson – 6 – Input
Offered a pacy attacking outlet for his side once they were down to ten men.
Alvaro Gonzalez – 5.5 – Worse
Replaced Onazi in the 59th minute and didn’t replace his solidity in midfield.
Miroslav Klose – N/A
