Atalanta 1-1 Lazio: Biancocelesti salvage point against plucky Nerazzurri

Date: 3rd May 2015 at 5:01pm
Written by:

Atalanta and Lazio shared the points at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia as the two battled to a 1-1 in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.

Giuseppe Biava headed the hosts in front before Marco Parolo equalised late in the match for Lazio, with the two settling for a share of the points in what was a balanced encounter.

Lazio nearly had a dream start when Keita Balde Diao was brought down in the penalty area by Andrea Masiello, but the referee ignored the Biancocelesti’s claims and Atalanta cleared their lines.

Their first shot on goal came courtesy of the 20-year-old Spaniard, with a curling shot from just outside the box on five minutes which was only just tipped wide by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.

It was then the turn of Lazio’s goal to be threatened, when Alejandro Gomez’s shot was easily saved by Federico Marchetti.

It would have been 1-0 if it wasn’t for Marchetti’s athletic save in goal, when he diverted Biava’s header from a Cristiano Del Grosso cross over the bar with one hand.

Edoardo Reja’s team continued to attack and dominated the next 10 minutes, but Lazio nearly took the lead just after the half hour mark when Keita’s powerful shot was deflected just wide of goal.

The hosts then nearly took the lead when Gomez’s shot from a low Bellini cross hit the post from a couple of yards out, and the visitors were let off the hook once more.

The half-time whistle came with a goalless scoreline, however, and despite both sides having chances to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, they would have both been happy that they weren’t behind either.

Another Gomez shot followed the restart, which was again well saved by Marchetti, but La Dea got the perfect start to the second half when Biava headed them in front from the resulting corner.

Luca Cigarini then wasted a chance to double his side’s lead 10 minutes later, when an excellent through ball left him one on one with the keeper but his shot lacked power and authority.

Lazio then countered and nearly levelled the score when Keita attempted to pass the ball under the keeper and into the goal, but his effort failed as it hit Sportiello’s foot.

Keita continued to generate chance after chance and didn’t take advantage of them as a free header was put wide just after the hour mark.

Stefano Pioli’s side finally equalised in the 77th minute when a half scissor kick from Parolo took Sportiello by surprise from a corner.

The draw means Lazio drop to third in the Serie A table while Atalanta remain in 17th, still eight points above the danger zone.

 

Comments are closed.