Venezia 0-2 Lazio: Biancocelesti Catch Roma & Inter at the Summit
Lazio have taken advantage of Roma and Inter Milan’s draw on Saturday to join them at the top of the Serie A table after beating Venezia away from home.
Lazio Starting XI
Gennaro Gattuso decided to keep his starting lineup intact from last weekend’s 2-2 draw against AC Milan. Christos Mandas started in goal behind Romano Floriani Mussolini, Josip Sutalo, Oliver Provstgaard, and Nuno Tavares. In midfield, Reda Belahyane operated between Davide Frattesi and Kennety Taylor, while Tijjani Noslin led the line, flanked by Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni.
Christos Mandas Saves John Yeboah’s Penalty
Lazio almost scored after three minutes, but Zaccagni’s cheeky freekick only hit the side netting. While the visitors were enjoying the bulk of possession, the home side was given a golden opportunity to snatch the lead. Floriani Mussolini headed the ball back to his goalkeeper, but didn’t put enough power behind it.
This allowed Thiierry Correia to beat Mandas to the ball, forcing the goalkeeper to bring him down inside the penalty box. Akor Adams and John Yeboah tried to play mind games, keeping the Lazio custodian guessing. In the end, Yeboah stepped up, but Mandas guessed it right as he dived to his left and parried the ball away to safety.
Venezia Launch Onslaught on Lazio Goal
Despite failing to score from the spot, Venezia now have momentum in their favor, so they were the more dangerous side for the majority of the first half. Simon Sohm launched a vicious volley from the edge of the box. Although it was central, it still needed a strong reaction from Mandas to deny it.
The Greek international also had to pull off saves on Adams and Antoine Hainaut, who both tried to find the far corner with curling shots. Lazio finally regained their composure in the final minutes before the interval. However, Taylor failed to hit the target from the edge of the box, while a long-range curler from Cancellieri whistled past the post.
Lazio Take the Lead From the Spot
Three minutes after the restart, the Aquile were awarded a spot-kick. Zaccagni picked up Taylor, who tried to turn, but was caught by Yeboah. The Ecuadorian striker who missed Venezia’s penalty ironically ended up giving one to Lazio. Filip Stankovic jumped to the right, but Zaccagni’s delivery was too powerful and precise for the Serbian goalkeeper, giving the visitors the lead.
Tijjani Noslin Doubles Lazio’s Lead
Belahyane almost scored a swift second after a give-and-go with Noslin, but his shot drifted just wide of the frame. Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti still found a second goal at the hour mark.
Tavares made his trademark run toward the byline, and Zaccagni fed him with the ball. The Portuguese left-back then sent a sublime cross towards the mouth of the goal. Noslin rose through the crowd to guide it home. While he couldn’t generate too much power behind it, the precise header landed in the corner, leaving Stankovic stranded.
The last half hour of play was almost trivial, with the helpless Venezia unable to react, and Lazio happy to preserve a healthy two-goal lead.
Gattuso’s men have thus raised their tally to 13 points from a possible 15, registering a club record, while the Arancioneroverdi remain empty-handed after suffering their fifth straight defeat.
