(Adnkronos) – On the day of the party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first scudetto, Lazio beat Empoli 2-0 in the ‘lunch match’ of the 36th matchday of Serie A and achieved the fourth victory in the last five matches remaining in the running for a place in the next Champions League. The match at the Olimpico was decided by goals from Patric in added time in the first half and from Vecino one minute into the 90th minute. In the standings the Biancocelesti move to 59 in seventh position, -1 from fifth place Atalanta and Roma who face each other tonight at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Heavy knockout for Empoli who remain stuck in 16th place in the standings with 32 points together with Frosinone and fully embroiled in the ‘fight’ to avoid relegation. After a balanced start without any particular excitement, the first chance of the match came in the 20th minute with a curling shot from outside the area by Bastoni that went just wide. In the 24th minute Ismajli was decisive on Immobile: the Empoli centre-back slipped and stopped the Biancoceleste striker’s shot with a sure shot, well clear of Kamada. Before the half hour Ismajli was once again the protagonist, this time in the opponent’s area with a header that went high. In the 35th minute, a prodigious save by Mandas on Caputo: the Biancoceleste goalkeeper removes the ball from the goal following the striker’s shot from a few meters away. A few minutes pass and Caprile responds to his colleague with a splendid save also on Immobile’s shot from a tight angle. In the third minute of added time in the first half, Lazio broke the deadlock. Corner by Zaccagni, insertion by Patric who comes out behind Caputo and pushes the ball into the net with his foot. The second half opens with a potential opportunity for Zaccagni who reaches for the ball from an excellent position and is unable to kick towards goal. In the 8th minute, Lazio counterattacked, with Immobile slipping with his left foot at the moment of the serve and nullifying the opportunity. At 10′ the first change of the match: Nicola sends Cambiaghi onto the pitch in place of Bastoni. In the 12th minute, a nice move by Caputo who turns and shoots in the area but the shot ends up high. In the quarter of an hour Felipe Anderson tries with an attempt from outside the area, the ball deflected for a corner. In the 20th minute, a triple change for Lazio: Castellanos, Rovella and Vecino come on in place of Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Gendouzi. At the same time, double substitution for the guests: Cacace and Destro come on instead of Pezzella and Caputo. In the 23rd minute, new substitute Vecino tries from outside the area after a restart but the shot is wide. The first yellow card of the match also arrives in the 28th minute. Gyasi takes it and knocks down Zaccagni after losing the ball. Three minutes later Zaccagni’s match ends: Pedro replaces him. Immediately afterwards Nicola finishes with substitutions: Shpendi and Fazzini come on instead of Luperto and Maleh. In the 33rd minute the first yellow card for Lazio too: provision for Lazzari who holds back and knocks down Cancellieri. In the 40th minute, Rovella was booked for a straight-leg foul on Marin. A minute later Marusic’s decisive intervention on Ismajli ready to head the ball into the net. In the 43rd minute, last change for Tudor: Cataldi comes on in place of Kamada. In the 44th minute the Biancoceleste doubled their lead with Vecino. Classic insertion from the Uruguayan who collects Pedro’s assist and beats Caprile with a right-footed shot from a few meters away. In the fifth minute of added time Romagnoli also received a yellow card as he held Destro back. The central defender was within a booking of a booking, he will miss Inter. —[email protected] (Web Info)
