Lazio 2-0 Arezzo: Pinamonti & Leite Score in Friendly Test
Lazio took advantage of the extended international break to host Serie A club Arezzo in a friendly held at Formello Training Centre.
Lazio Absentees
Lazio are without the eight players who are on international duty, namely Davide Frattesi, Albert Gudmundsson, Josip Sutalo, Oliver Provstgaard, Gustav Isaksen, Kenneth Taylor, Nuno Tavares, and Christos Mandas.
Matteo Cancellieri also joined the list of unavailable players after hurting himself while on vacation. Despite their imminent returns, Adam Marusic, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Danilo Cataldi weren’t risked on Sunday, while Nicolo Rovella is expected to remain on the sidelines until the Juventus game (October 18).
Lazio Starting Lineup
As predicted, Gennaro Gattuso tested a 4-2-3-1 formation amid the lack of midfield options. The young Valerio Farmaconi joined Reda Belahyane in the double pivot, while Tijjani Noslin started behind Andrea Pinamonti.
Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni started on the left wing with 20-year-old Federico Serra moving to the other flank, while Romano Floriani Mussolini, Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite, and Alfonso Pedrazza constituted the backline in front of Edoardo Motta.
Andrea Pinamonti Scores in First Minute
It only took the home side 23 seconds to break the deadlock. Noslin carried the ball forward with a quick run on the left side before finding Pinamonti on the edge of the box. The Italian striker made a step forward before sending a low shot towards the far post. While he didn’t put too much power behind the ball, it was precise enough to beat experienced goalkeeper Alessandro Seculin.
The Biancocelesti had the opportunity to double their lead shortly afterwards, but Serra couldn’t beat Seculin. At the other end of the pitch, Motta had to pull off several saves in the first half to prevent an equaliser. The young shot-stopper displayed his swift reaction with an excellent save on Matteo Gilli.
Later in the half, the young Lazio custodian had to get across in time to parry away a curler from Emiliano Patarello, and then blocked a close-range effort from Mattia Sala.
Lazio Score Right After the Restart
Gattuso began the second half with a triple change, bringing in Luca Pellegrini, Manuel Lazzari and 18-year-old Giorgio Canali for Pedraza, Floriani Mussolini, and Zaccagni. Similar to the first period, the Biancocelesti scored in the opening minute of the half (42 seconds after the restart).
Canali made an immediate impact, picking up Leite from a corner kick. The unmarked defender only had to stand his ground and guide the ball home.
Gattuso kept intorducing Primavera players, and while these substitutions slowed the tempo of the game, some of the youngsters managed to impress, especially Mattia Santagostino, who pulled the strings in midfield while interpreting the Regista role.
After a late attempt from Canali that was denied by the goalkeeper, the referee brought an end to the game without any added minutes. Lazio are expected to host Juve Stabia in another friendly next weekend, before resuming competitive action with a Serie A home fixture against Monza.
Lazio 2-0 Arezzo
Goalscorers: 1′ Pinamonti (L), 46′ Diogo Leite (L)
Lazio (4-2-3-1): Motta (Renzetti from 72′); Floriani Mussolini (Lazzari from 46′), Doekhi, Diogo Leite (R. Bordon from 84′), Pedraza (Pellegrini from 46′); Farcomeni (Milillo from 79′), Belahyane (Santagostino from 63′); Noslin (Montano from 63′), Serra (Gatto from 79′), Zaccagni (Canali from 46′); Pinamonti (Sulejmani from 82′).
Arezzo (4-3-3): Seculin (Trombini from 46′); Mena, Gilli (Mancini from 46′), Coppolaro (Illanes from 46′), Righetti; Sala (Mawuli Eklu from 46′), Chierico (Viviani from 46′), Ionita (Mancuso from 46′); Pattarello (Arena from 46′), Cerri (Cianci from 46′), Leone (Olivieri from 46′, Manes from 56′).
