Cesena shocked Lazio on Sunday afternoon, beating the Biancocelesti 2-1 at Stadio Dino Manuzzi.
A goal by Gregoire Defrel and an own goal by Lazio’s Danilo Cataldi was all Cesena would need to earn three points on Sunday. Miroslav Klose cut the lead in half in the 87th minute with a goal of his own, but it wasn’t enough for the visibly frustrated visiting side. Cesena defended admirably throughout, and was able to capitalize when it mattered most.
The first half was largely a battle of the midfield. Lazio tried to assert itself early, but Cesena defended patiently, looking to find opportunity during the counter-attack. Lazio’s play turned slow and predictable after being denied progress consistently. Antonio Candreva and Marco Parolo were the only dangerous attackers for Lazio, but their shots generally came from distance.
In the 26th minute, Lazio protested a foul on Gregoire Defrel in the area, but the referee correctly wanted to hear none of it. Soon after, Candreva almost scored again, beating the keeper, but Danilo Cataldi was unable to stay onside. Cesena generally held their ground, and rode out the half scoreless.
After the feisty but scoreless first half, the second half started with a bang from the home side. Franco Brienza came close to giving Cesena the lead on the hour mark. He sent a driving low free kick at goal, that was pushed aside by the goalkeeper.
Soon after, Defrel gave the hosts the lead as he picked up the ball around 25 yards out and fired a strike, almost immediately, into the top right corner that was impossible to defend.
A few minutes later, Defrel nearly secured a brace, with a blast from the edge of the box, but this time Marchetti was able to push the strike wide.
Defrel was Cesena’s catalyst, contributing to every major Cesena attack. He played a huge part in their second goal when he sprinted to the byline almost with carefree wrecklesness, before driving in an incredibly dangerous cross that was turned into Lazio’s own net by Danilo Cataldi.
Lazio did pull one back, through a Miroslav Klose goal with three minutes left. He latched onto a clearance on the edge of the box, before firing a low missile into the corner.
Despite six minutes of injury time, the visitors were unable to score for a second time, as Cesena picked up only their third league victory of the season.
