Lazio Roma won their catch-up game at FC Torino. A double strike out of nowhere punished the home side’s proliferation of chances and secured victory for the Biancocelesti
In the catch-up match on matchday 21 between Torino FC and Lazio Roma, both teams were looking to catch up with the international places. Torino, unbeaten in six games in a row, set off at full speed from the kick-off and put Lazio under pressure time and time again. Sanabria had the first chance after just five minutes following a cross from Bellanova, but struck the ball against the post.
Lazio, who suffered a setback in their 2-1 defeat to Bologna at the weekend after their acclaimed Champions League win over Bayern Munich, were almost completely on the back foot in the first half, showing glaring weaknesses on the left-hand side of defence in particular and were fortunate that the hosts were careless with their chances. Zapata headed the ball wide of the goal from a good position (35′), Vlasic failed to beat keeper Provedel from eight meters (37′) and Masina headed a corner just wide of the post (43′).
Guendouzi and Cataldi score out of nothing
After the break, Torino’s attacking urge – and proliferation of chances – continued, with Zapata heading a pass from the strong Bellanova over the goal from the best position (48′).
The home side’s lack of effectiveness was finally punished. Immobile cleverly slipped a pass through for Guendouzi to suddenly appear unchallenged in the penalty area and slot home out of nowhere to make it 1-0 (50′). But that was not all: while Turin were in shock, Cataldi made it 2:0 with a perfectly placed shot (56′).
A traffic light card for Gila brings more tension
Torino took a long time to recover from the double strike; the Biancocelesti now defended their lead with confidence. Only the yellow card for Gila (79′) breathed new life into the home side. Ricci missed twice from the best position (83rd, 86th) and ex-Gladbach player Lazaro lifted a free-kick just over the crossbar in the final minute (90.+6). That was the end of Torino’s unbeaten run, but Lazio leapt to seventh place and are now just one point behind city rivals AS Roma and the international places.
Turin’s next task is against a Roman club on Monday (18:30), when Ivan Juric’s team visit Roma. Also on Monday (8.45pm), Lazio face another away game at AC Florence
