Lazio 3-1 Monza: Aquile Fly to Second Place as They Surpass Roma
Lazio picked up from where they left off before the international break, resuming their Serie A campaign with a home win over Monza.
The Starting Lineups
Gennaro Gattuso made only two changes to the Lazio starting XI that secured the win in Venice before the international break, replacing Josip Sutalo with Danilho Doekhi. The Dutch defender joined Oliver Provstgaard, Floriani Romanoli Mussolini, and Nuno Tavares at the back.
Gustav Isaksen took over from the injured Matteo Cancellieri on the right wing, completing an attacking trio that features Mattia Zaccagni and Tijjani Noslin. The midfield trio remained intact, with Rede Belahyane operating between Kenneth Taylor and Davide Frattesi.
Monza head coach Ivan Juric went for a 3-4-2-1 formation spearheaded by the in-form Gustavo Varela, supported by Exequiel Zebbalos and Cyril Ngonge. In midfield, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro connected with Michael Folarunsho, while Alessandro Birindelli and Ricardo Mangas occupied the wing-back slots.
Nuno Tavares Smashed it Home Early
It only took Lazio three minutes to break the Lombards’ resistance. Frattesti’s vigorous pressure worked, helping his team retain possession in the final third. Noslin then spotted Tavares to his level, and the Portuguese left-back sent a vicious shot towards the roof of the net. Noel Tornqvist tried to stop it, but couldn’t get near enough.
The Biancocelesti came close to a swift second when Taylor picked up Frattesi between the lines. The Italian international drove the ball forward and had the opportunity to go for goal himself, but instead passed to Noslin, who couldn’t generate too much power behind the shot, allowing the Monza goalkeeper to pick it up.
Another lovely combination that included Tavares and Zaccagni ended with the captain sending a delicate cross to the box, but Frattesi’s free header whistled past the post. At the other end of the pitch, Varela thought he had equalised for the visitors after latching on a loose ball, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Gustav Isaksen Scores Lazio’s Second
In the 23rd minute, the Aquile doubled their lead when Noslin teed up Isaksen on the right side of the penalty box. The Dane’s first-time curler landed perfectly in the bottom corner, leaving Tornqvist with no chance.
Lorenzo Lucchesi Sent Off
Monza’s misery was compounded 10 minutes later. Tavares pulled off a block in the nick of time to deny Birindelli’s shot. Lazio then launched a counterattack, as Belahyane found Noslin with a long ball. The Dutch attacker’s run was halted by Lorenzo Lucchesi, who, as a result, received his marching orders, leaving his teammates with a numerical disadvantage for the next hour of play.
Monza Score Immediately After the Break
Monza returned after the interval with another three changes (four in total), and they immediately paid off, as they pulled one back after the restart. Birindelli’s corner kick was redirected by Dany Mota, allowing Seba Goglichidze to score from close range.
The Biancorossi almost followed it up with a quick equaliser from a counterattack, but Mandas was able to pull off an awkward save on Mota, with the ball bouncing just off target. Birindelli also had an inviting opportunity, but he couldn’t hit the target from a slightly acute angle.
Lazio’s corner-kick struggles continued, as Mota attacked the ball on the first post, but Mandas produced a formidable save, palming the ball away to safety.
Lazio Substitutes Combine to Restore Two-Goal Lead
Gattuso’s substitutions helped the team regain composure, as they gradually regained control over the game while taking advantage of their numerical superiority. After a barren spell, Lazio launched a late onslaught, starting with a Zaccagni curler that produced a marvellous from the Monza goalkeeper.
Isaksen was then released by Andrea Pinamonti’s header. The Dane managed to beat Tonqvist to the ball and slid a shot past him, but he was denied by the post.
Nevertheless, Lazio eventually sealed the win with a third goal. Zaccagni released Alfonso Pedraza, who made a run to the byline before picking up fellow substitute Pinamonti inside the box. The Italian striker showed his clinical touch by directing the ball toward the net with a simple yet delicate finish to open his account for the club under the watchful eyes of the Aquile’s all-time top goalscorer, Ciro Immobile, who was watching from the stands.
This victory allows Lazio to overtake their arch-rivals Roma, who clinched a draw in Como earlier in the day, and climb to second place in the Serie A table, only behind Inter Milan on goal difference.
