Lazio defeated by Sporting Braga but is first in the group

Painless defeat for Lazio, which on the last day of the “Championship phase” of the Europa League loses in the home of Braga 1-0, but retains the head of the ranking, to crown a first part of the European path of Most High level. Marco Baroni has to deal with numerous absences, between the disqualifications of Rovella and Zaccagni and the injuries of Vecino, Patric Tavares and Lazzari, to which Guendouzi was added. Here, then, that in the middle of the field, the owner Gila is alongside deleg-Bashiru.

The start of the game is in favor of the Braga, more aggressive as it is forced to win: the maneuver of the hosts is enveloping and the Portuguese already passed at 6 ‘with Fernandes who sees the overlap of Gomez and serves his companion, good at putting A ball in the area that horta places with precision on the second post. Initially Lazio struggles to take the measures, but then raises the pressure and shows up several times with a ball from the rear to climb over the opposing defense: an effective solution, but in some way the hosts are saved. At 21 ‘Pedro goes very close to the draw directly on a free kick. The second part of the first half is very balanced and without particular rings, if not that of Tchaoua in recovery, but the attacker is wrong the final choice and finds no partner in the middle.

In the second half the Braga starts strong, determined to double, with Lazio who cannot leave. The game changes with the entry of Isaksen, who touches the goal with the first ball touched and then kicks a corner on which Noslin comes head: in both occasions very reactive Hornicek, who then lavished in another beautiful parade on the dele-bashiru shot from distance. The Braga builds a very tempting opportunity in the 87th minute, but Horta wastes everything with an improbable lob that does not climb over Mandas. Victory that is not needed for Portuguese, however eliminated for the goal difference, while Lazio in the round of 16 will face one between Rome, Viktoria Plzen, Ferencvaros and Porto.