Bologna 0-0 Lazio: Kozak red-card sums up poor performance from Biancocelesti

Date: 10th December 2012 at 11:14pm
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Bologna and Lazio drew 0-0 at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday night in a disappointing Serie A encounter.

Neither side were able to create many chances, the best of which fell to Lazio as Antonio Candreva and Giuseppe Biava both had efforts well saved.  A late red card for Libor Kozak ended any hopes of them snatching a victory.

Bologna were looking for back-to-back victories for the first time in Serie A this season while Lazio headed into to match unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.  A win for the Biancocelesti would have moved them up to fourth in the table while a win for the home side would take them up to 13th.

The first attempt at goal arrived after just four minutes as Alessandro Diamanti fired an acrobatic volley from the edge of the area just wide.  Lazio’s Hernanes then tested Federico Aguardi from distance but the Brazilian’s shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Lazio carved out a good chance in the 13th minute when Antonio Candreva did well to get past Frederik Sorensen but his shot was well smothered by Aguardi from close range.

The opening quarter of an hour was scrappy with niether side really taking control of the game and both conceding many fouls.  It wasn’t until the 22nd minute that there was another shot at goal.  Diamanti broke forward but with no options in support he elected to shoot from way outside the area, his effort trickling into the arms of Federico Marchetti.

As the game approached half time niether side were able to get any rhythm or tempo into their passing and as tackles continued to fly in Lazio’s Luis Pedro Cavanda picked up the game’s first booking.

In the 45th minute the game’s first good chance arrived as Lazio almost broke the deadlock.  Defender Giuseppe Biava managed to connect to Michael Ciani’s low cross only to see his shot well saved by Aguardi.  That would be the last act of a dull half, lacking in any real quality as niether side were able to make the most of set pieces in dangerous areas.

The second half began in tentative fashion, much like the first half had played out and it took seven minutes for a shot at goal to arrive.  Diamanti tested Marchetti with a free-kick after 52 minutes but his effort wasn’t struck with enough power to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

Tiberio Guerente was brought into the game as a substitute and he nearly broke the deadlock after 59 minutes, the midfielder on loan from Sevilla, struck a fierce left-footed shot just wide from outside the penalty area.

The half wore on in similar fashion to the first as nither side could produce the final pass to unlock their opposition defence.  After 77 minute’s Lazio manager Vladimir Petkovic called upon Miroslav Klose who wasn’t deemed fit enough to start the game.

As the game entered it’s final ten minutes Bologna tried to up the tempo, Marco Motta managed to swing in a cross and Alberto Gilardino connected with an over-head kick but the striker’s effort looped harmlessly over the crossbar.

With five minutes left Lazio were reduced to ten men.  Libor Kozak, who had been given a rare start in Serie A went in late on Archimede Morleo and collected a second yellow card.

Two minutes later Cristian Pasquato forced a great save from Marchetti as Bologna tried to make their man advantage count.  His shot from 20 yards was acrobatically tipped wide.

The final moments passed without incident as Lazio were content to take a point after Kozak’s red card.  The 0-0 draw brought round 16 to a disappointing close but a point each was a fair result.

Follow Michael Clarkson on Twitter: M_Clarkson

 

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