Lazio 1-1 Roma
Lazio and Roma drew 1-1 in the Serie A match of the day in an electrifying atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico.
Paulo Fonseca’s Roma have now had two draws in their opening fixtures but they will be delighted to escape the Derby Della Capitale with a point, after Simone Inzaghi’s side made the better chances and hit the woodwork three times.
Roma went ahead when Aleksandar Kolarov converted a late first half penalty but Lazio
grabbed a deserved equaliser through Luis Alberto.
The early season Serie A 2019 betting odds don’t pitch the Rome teams as threats to Juventus’ crown but they will both be hunting a top four place, and on this showing Lazio has a good chance.
Highlights of the game
After a very productive pre-season and a winning start Lazio came into the game full of confidence and with all guns blazing. As early as the third minute Lucas Leiva picked up the ball from a corner, and his shot from just outside the penalty area crashed against the left hand post.
Roma have just completed the signing of centre back Chris Smalling from Manchester United to make the big Serie A 2019 news on Friday, and he started on the bench, with Federico Fazio and Gianluca Mancini continuing as the centre back pairing. And they came under more pressure, blocking a Ciro Immoble shot, and then watching the Italy striker firing over after good work from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Then Pau Lopez Sabata made a superb save in the bottom corner to deny Milinkovic-Savic.
But the big Serb was at the wrong end of the pitch when he had a part in the opening goal, handling the ball to give Roma a golden opportunity from the penalty spot.
Only SPAL’s keeper Marco Wolfli made more saves than Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha last week, but the Lazio stopper could do nothing as Aleksandar Kolarov slammed the spot kick home.
The Roma fans celebrated like they’d won the league, but Lazio went straight back on the attack, Sabata saving well when Immobile’s header looked destined to level the scores. And the Roma keeper was a spectator again when his woodwork shook, this time Immobile taking a headed pass from Milinkovic –Savic and firing his shot against the right hand post.
As the game continued at breath-taking pace Roma tried to fight back, Brian Cristante seeing a header blocked and then Nicolo Zaniolo smashing a shot from distance against Strakosha’s left hand post.
Immobile came close again for Lazio and Justin Kluivert almost finished off a fast break for Roma but screwed his shot wide. And, on the stroke of half time, Strakosha kept Lazio in touch with a great save from a Kolarov pile driver.
If Lazio were disappointed to go into the break behind, they didn’t show it at the start of the second half as Lucas Leiva tested Sabata with a low drive. And then the hosts got their reward when Immobile found Luis Alberto in space in the penalty area and he made no mistake, firing low into the corner.
That prompted an onslaught from Inzaghi’s side, with Joaquin Correa and Immobile both coming close, and then as the minutes ticked away Lazio hit the Roma woodwork again, this time Marco Parolo firing his shot against the crossbar.
But Lazio couldn’t quite get the winner they sought and Roma escaped with a point.
Key statistics
After Juventus and Napoli put on a seven goal show in Turin yesterday, while the Rome teams couldn’t match the goals it wasn’t for the lack of trying. In an attacking contest Lazio won the first half shot count by 13 to eight and four to two on target.
Possession of the ball was shared, but Lazio continued to make more chances in the second period, eventually having 23 shots to Roma’s 11 and seven to three on target.
We predicted a tight game here at SBOBET and it so it was, but Roma has the woodwork to thank for their point as Lazio fans went home frustrated.
What’s next?
Next up, Inzaghi’s side is away to SPAL after the international break, and then Lazio travels to CFR Cluj in the Europa League Group E opener.
Meanwhile, Roma is at home to Sassuolo, before starting its own Europa League campaign at home to Istanbul Buyuksehir.
Both the Rome clubs will be eyeing the Europa League as a second chance to make next season’s Champions League.
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