Player Ratings: Sassuolo 2-6 Lazio – Noslin Steals the Limelight
In the curtain jerker of Serie A Matchday 9, Lazio registered their eighth win of the season after smashing six goals past their hosts Sassuolo.
A chaotic first half witnssed six goals courtesy of Kenneth Taylor, Gustav Isaksen, Romano Floriani Mussolini, and Mattia Zaccagni for Lazio, and Kristian Thorstvedt and Sebastiano Esposito for Sassuolo, in addition to a red card for Thorstvedt for a nasty foul on Zaccagni.
After the break, Davide Frattesi and Zaccagni were both denied from the spot by Stefano Turati, but Tijjani Noslin added to the Biancocelesti’s lead with a fabulous brace.
It’s now time to hand out our player ratings for Lazio who temporarily seized the Serie A summit by registering a 6-2 win in Sassuolo.
Lazio XI (4-3-3)
Christos Mandas – 6
The Greek custodian couldn’t do much on either Sassuolo, and didn’t have major saves to perform otherwise.
Romano Floriani Mussolini – 7
The Italian right-back opened his account for the club with a simple tap-in after making a timely run to the box. He also held his own against Armand Lauriente.
Josip Sutalo – 6
The Croatian was unlucky to deflect Kristian Thostvedt’s shot past his goalkeeper, but he shouldn’t have left his opponent unmarked in the first place. His performance was solid nonetheless.
Diogo Leite – 6
The Portuguese defender was one of the culprits on the second goal, as he gave Sebastiano Esposito too much space. Didn’t place a foot wrong otherwise.
Nuno Tavares – 6
A relatively quiet evening for the Portuguese left-back considering all the chaos. Perhaps he could have done better on the second goal, as he didn’t truly track Simone Cinquegrano’s run.
Davide Frattesi – 5.5
The Italian midfielder was hoping to score on his old ground, but his abysmal spot-kick was easily denied by Stefano Turati. However, it wasn’t a terrible outing otherwise.
Reda Belahyane – 6
The Moroccan kept things ticking in the middle of the park.
Kenneth Taylor – 7.5
The former Ajax midfielder has been carrying a knock, but he only needed 45 minutes on the pitch to inflict the damage. Broke the deadlock with a clinical finish and provided the assist for Floriani Mussolini’s goal with an inch-perfect through ball.
Gustav Isaksen – 8
The in-form Dane confirmed his credentials with another superb display. Found the far corner with his trademark finish, instigated the third goal, set up Zaccagni’s header with an exquisite cross, and won the spot-kick squandered by Frattesi after beating his man.
Tijjani Noslin – 8
The Dutch striker wasn’t directly involved in the first four goals, but his clever movement was vital for his teammates. In the second half, he took matters into his own hands, bagging a delightful brace, including a superb screamer for the second.
Mattia Zaccagni – 8
The Lazio captain squandered a penalty with a poor kick, but it was only a slight blemish on an otherwise masterclass display. The winger provided assists for Isaksen and Noslin, scored from a close-range header, and was on the receiving end of a horror challenge that led to Thorstvedt’s dismissal.
Substitutes
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – 6.5
Another positive cameo from the Nigerian who was credited with an assist for Noslin’s second goal.
Matteo Cancellieri – 5.5
The winger was guilty of wasting two chances to score Lazio’s seventh. He selfishly refused to pass the ball to Dele-Bashiru, who was clear on goal.
Manuel Lazzari – 6
A good outing from the right-back, who added energy to the right wing.
Alfonso Pedraza – 6
Like Tavares, the Spaniard was decent but lacked a marquee moment.
Andrea Pinamonti – N/A
