NAP vs LAZIO (2-1) RECAP

Michael Nardi

Lazio hosted Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico for the headline matchup of round 27 in Serie A. Both teams were dealt their respective frustrating defeats in midweek and heading in, looked to correct their league form. Napoli held an extra incentive in this fixture, as both title contenders dropped points this weekend, giving the team a chance to take hold of first place with a trio of points.

Napoli lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1: GK-Ospina, LB- Mario Rui, CB- Kalidou Koulibaly,

CB- Amir Rrahmani, RB- Giovanni DiLorenzo, CDM- Fabian Ruiz, CDM- Diego Demme, LW- Lorenzo Insigne, CAM- Piotr Zieliński, RW- Matteo Politano, ST- Victor Osimhen.

Lazio would line up in Sarri’s preferred 4-3-3: GK- Thomas Strakosha, LB- Stefan Radu, CB- Luiz Felipe, CB- Patric, RB- Adam Marušić, CDM- Lucas Leiva, CM- Luis Alberto, CM- Sergej Milinković-Savić, RW- Felipe Anderson, LW- Mattia Zaccagni, ST- Ciro Immobile.

Lazio would start the brighter of the two sides, with Luis Alberto missing a huge chance within the first five minutes of play. Immobile in the ninth minute from a Luis Alberto pass would be sent in on the net, but would drag his shot wide with the back pressure from DiLorenzo. Later on in the 41st minute Milinković-Savić with some excellent close control- beating a few Napoli defenders, but again getting met by the gloves of Ospina. This half would go to Lazio, however, the half-time score remained 0-0 which was great for Spalletti’s group.

The second half began and the tide was starting to sway on Napoli’s side. Sarri’s men were beginning to show signs of fatigue, and it was clear with the possession Napoli was maintaining. The visitors were finally rewarded as captain Lorenzo Insigne arrowed a shot into the bottom right corner in the 62nd minute. Capitalizing on a sloppy giveaway from Patric, with Lazio trying to build out from the back. Shortly after, Insigne would score another, however, it was ruled offside following a brief discussion with VAR.

Napoli was frustrating Lazio’s short passing game with their mid-block until a key substitution from Sarri shuffled the momentum of the visitors. The Lazio manager called upon Pedro to add a spark on the wing for Felipe Anderson, and this would prove pivotal. In the 88th minute from a Lazio free-kick, the ball would fall for Pedro, who smashed a first-time volley past a diving Ospina and Lazio would get the goal they deserved.

This game would have more late heroics before the end however. From a sloppy Lazio Pass, Napoli would regain possession late into added time. From this possession, Insigne would find Fabian Ruiz on the edge of the 18-yard box, and his shot would beat a diving Strakosha.

Napoli would take all three points, leaving both Lazio fans and players heartbroken from the result.

Lazio should feel hard done by as they were the better team in this match but poor finishing and inconsistent defending costed the group points yet the group points yet again. Something which has been the theme of Lazio’s season under new manager Maurizio Sarri.

My man of the match for this game would be Lorenzo Insigne as he finished the match with a goal and the assist on the winning goal. Insigne’s all-around game was terrific, picking up the ball in great spaces, giving Lazio’s fullbacks nightmares, and creating plenty for his teammates. Insigne is playing to leave a legacy in Naples and have a Scudetto trophy before his departure to Toronto in July.

Lazio’s next match: Away to Cagliari, March 5 at 2:45

Napoli’s next match: Home to AC Milan, March 6 at 2:45