Things have gone from bad to worse for coach Stefano Pioli, after the Biancocelesti succumbed to a heart-wrenching 2-0 defeat to Roma
First things first, let’s give this team credit for patching at least one thing at a time: this week it was their lack of away victories in Europe. We’ve looked at how badly the Biancocelesti needed to defy the odds when outside of the Stadio Olimpico in all competitions, especially since AC Milan came in to trash the place and ruin their home dominance last weekend. Maybe that wake-up call — and subsequent scolding from president Claudio Lotito — lit a temporary fire for the Europa League Group G leaders, as they firmly dispatched Rosenborg 2-0 at the Lerkendal Stadion.
The match could’ve been a blowout, if not for a bit of bad luck that saw Wesley Hoedt’s potential second Europa League goal cancelled by Ricardo Kishna’s offside position. Stefano Pioli’s side looked fired up from the start, with Kishna’s inventiveness on the night shown from his well taken assist for Filip Djordjevic in the space of nine minutes. Ogenyi Onazi also looked incredibly influential throughout the match, as his expertly threaded pass assisted Djordjevic’s brace.
In the end, though, Le Aquile couldn’t take their magic act in Norway to the much hyped 144th Serie A Derby della Capitale.
Why not Lazio? Well there was plenty working against them right from the start. Problems ailed the team from within almost straight away when Santiago Gentiletti made a clumsy foul on Edin Dzeko just on the edge of the penalty area, prompting referee Paolo Tagliavento’s hasty decision to give a contentious penalty kick.
However, the match should be remembered as far from one sided, despite what the scoreline suggested in the end. Roma’s porosity in defence allowed Le Aquile to answer the Giallorossi’s two strikes on target with a pair of their own, although ultimately they both ended in differing fashion.
Felipe Anderson provided a flash of brilliance to nutmeg his way into a world class strike from distance, that only the crossbar was able to prevent. With clubs lining up for the Brazilian’s signature left, right, and centre, who knows how many more moments like these are left in Lazio’s future times of trouble. Only Antonio Rudiger’s sacrificial clearance got in the way of the Biancocelesti’s next closest attempt to equalise, with Stefan Radu nearly finding the in-form Djordjevic inside the penalty area.
With seven yellow cards between the Roman clubs, the fight was certainly there, but I Lupi defended their bragging rights with the better offence on the day.
Stefano Pioli cannot find a good enough hiding spot at the moment, as Lazio are the only side other than Carpi to have reached 20 goals conceded already. Regardless of the moments of reprisal from weeks gone by, the Aquilotti have slumped far too low in the eyes of their rivals, fans, and ownership.
The club must find the answers against the fiercest opponents from now on. Only then can they earn back their stature in Serie A, and also prove that their European form is far from a fluke.
