Lazio beat Saint-Etienne 3-2 on Thursday night at the Stadio Olimpico in the Europa League, giving them their first win in the tournament this season.
It didn’t take long for the goals to start flying in with Moustapha Bayal Sall scoring the opener for Les Verts before Ogenyi Onazi equalised. Robert Beric was then controversially sent off for the away team, before Wesley Hoedt doubled Lazio’s lead straight after half-time.
They had no way back when Sall was sent off after receiving his second yellow card before Lucas Biglia made sure they couldn’t claw themselves back with another goal, despite Kevin Monnet-Paquet claiming a late consolation.
The visitors quickly took the lead through Sall, although it was a fairly messy goal from him as the ball was crossed in and it bounced onto the chest of the 29-year-old before going into the net.
Some excellent teamwork brought the equaliser for the Biancocelesti when Felipe Anderson sped forward to the edge of the box and let Stefano Mauri set up Ogenyi Onazi who drew his side level with a well placed shot.
The first half continued to be filled with drama and a surprising a controversial red card was given soon after the half hour mark when the referee judged an elbow into the face of Mauricio from Robert Beric to be deliberate.
Stefano Pioli’s men immediately took the lead after half-time with a goalkeeping mistake from Stephane Ruffier allowing Wesley Hoedt to make the score 2-1.
The night only got worse for Saint-Etienne from then on, as they were reduced to nine men after goalscorer Sall was given a second yellow for a tackle on Anderson.
All three points were then sealed for Lazio with just over 10 minutes to go thanks to a slight deflection on a shot from Lucas Biglia.
Kevin Monnet-Paquet gave the away fans hope with five minutes to go when he chipped goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, but they couldn’t grab an equaliser.
The Italians top Group G, while Saint-Etienne are bottom.
