Lazio raises their heads again, Lecce beaten 2-1

Lazio, in numerical superiority for the entire second half, beat Lecce 2-1 at Via del Mare thanks to Marusic’s decisive goal at the end and rose to 34 points in the standings, momentarily catching Inter in the standings (which however had two games to make up). A great performance of sacrifice was not enough for Marco Giampaolo’s men, deluded by Morente’s momentary equalizer at the start of the second half after Castellanos’ 0-1. The latter is the most positive note at Lazio after the 6-0 defeat against Inter.

The importance of the Argentine – absent in the last match against the Nerazzurri – is summed up in his first half as a protagonist. In the 30th minute a vertical assist is needed for Isaksen who arrives to kick, but finds the response with Falcone’s dive. In the 43rd minute Castellanos comes into his own: a follow-up stop and a volley from the edge of the area, but the Giallorossi goalkeeper isn’t surprised. The duel continues in the 46th minute of the first half, the turning point: Falcone blocks a first close shot from Taty, but can do nothing on the second shot which is saved on the line with his arm by Guilbert. Referee Manganiello sees everything: red card for the defender and penalty for Lazio. Castellanos appears from eleven meters and displaces Falcone and scores the 1-0.

However, in the 50th minute Lecce equalised. Credit goes to Morente who takes advantage of a clearance from the defense and unleashes a counter-ball shot from outside the area which surprises Provedel. Baroni relies on substitutions: Pedro, Tchaouna, Pellegrini, Noslin and Marusic. Lazio is the team that has scored the most goals with substitutes in the ongoing match in this Serie A (9) and it is the least expected, Marusic, who scores the 1-2 with a volley from outside the area that does not leave Falcone’s escape. In the final, however, Lazio suffered and in the 94th minute Kaba hit the crossbar with a clear header. One last shiver before the celebration for three suffered points.