Lazio defeated Fiorentina 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.
It was a game of two halves in which the Aquile dominated the first half and the Gigliati dominated the second. Goals from Filip Djordjevic and Senad Lulic sealed the win for Stefano Pioli’s team.
Did we get our ratings correct? Have your say below.
Fiorentina
Neto – 5.5 – Unreliable
He didn’t have to make any breathtaking saves but when he was needed, he didn’t perform. Conceded goals from close range although the defence was open for the second.
Nenad Tomovic – 6 – Decent
He kept Lulic under control when scores were left and he was comfortable going forward when his team was trailing.
Gonzalo Rodríguez – 5.5 – Open
He failed to anticipate Djordjevic’s run for first goal and he was exposed whenever Lazio counterattacked.
Stefan Savic – 5 – Erroneous
He didn’t close down Candreva for the first goal and he nearly gifted Lazio another one before half-time.
Marcos Alonso – 6 – Rapid
Not the best defensively but he did well when he attacked on the left flank. Wasted two chances to score.
Jasmin Kurtic – 4.5 – Anonymous
The Slovenian midfielder barely touched the ball at all. He deserved to be replaced at half-time.
David Pizarro – 6.5 – Visionary
Despite his team’s defeat, he can hold his head up high. His long passes were excellent and at one stage were the only way Fiorentina could create chances.
Alberto Aquilani – 6 – Unlucky
He had a great chance to score with on overhead kick but it hit the post. His passing was decent but not really decisive.
Matias Fernandez – 5.5 – Uninspiring
He blocked a Candreva cross near the end of the game but he offered little in terms of creativity.
Juan Cuadrado – 5.5 – Subdued
He tried to dance around the Lazio defence but they blocked his route to goal. He needed better support, not just from Pizarro and Valero.
Khouma Babacar – 5.5 – Flawed
He could have scored with a header in the first half. Babacar got into positions but he didn’t get the service and sometimes he couldn’t adjust his runs.
Substitutes
Borja Valero – 6.5
Came on at half-time for Kurtic and he made Fiorentina control the play more. Probably the only Viola player that didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Josip Ilicic – 4.5
He came on for Babacar on 68 minutes. He had a shot that went wide and did little else.
Federico Bernardeschi – N/A
Replaced Aquilani after 78 minutes. Failed to connect properly with a Valero cross.
Lazio
Federico Marchetti – 6 – Adequate
Looked a bit shaky at times but he was usually able to deal with high balls.
Luis Cavanda – 6.5 – Fine
Solid defensively and comfortable going forward. His first half was better than his second half performance though.
Stefan De Vrij – 7 – Rock
Arguably the best display from the Dutch international since he has joined the Biancocelesti. Hard to beat.
Michael Ciani – 6 – Uncompromising
A solid display by Ciani who was rather rough at times, especially when it came to halting Cuadrado.
Stefan Radu – 7 – Strong
The Romanian was reliable defensively and offensively and he took the captain’s armband after Mauri was substituted.
Marco Parolo – 6 – Dependable
Put Cuadrado off in the first half when the Viola winger tried to shoot from a tight angle. He was more defensive than offensive.
Lucas Biglia – 6.5 – Effective
One of the best players on the pitch in the first half, operating more as a withdrawn playmaker than a defensive midfielder. Helped protect his defence in the second half.
Antonio Candreva – 6 – Impacted
Most of his passes and crosses were rather poor but he got it right in the right moments. Candreva created both goals for Pioli’s side.
Stefano Mauri – 6.5 – Lively
The veteran midfielder was a live wire in the first half and he gave the Gigliati defence a few headaches. His impact was reduced when Fiorentina started to control play.
Senad Lulic – 6.5 – Reliable
Made a small impact on the left but he performed better when he moved into the middle. Scored the second goal with a simple tap-in on the counterattack.
Filip Djordjevic – 6 – Opportunistic
He opened the scoring after tapping-in Candreva’s cross in the first half. His heavy touches in the second half prevented him from possibly scoring more.
Substitutes
Ogenyi Onazi – 5.5
Came on for Mauri after 58 minutes
Diego Novaretti – 6
Came on for Ciani after 68 minutes and he was cleaner in his play than the man he replaced. He also made a dashing run after intercepting a flick in midfield.
Miroslav Klose – N/A
Replaced Djordjevic after 89 minutes.