Preview
After a disappointing 4-1 loss in Matchday 2 of the Europa League (4-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany), Lazio were hungry to prove themselves once again. Sitting in second in the UEFA Europa League group with three points, Lazio came into this Matchday 3 clash off a 2-0 away victory against Parma this past Sunday, giving them high morale, confidence, and the desire to continue this positive form. On the other hand, Marseille also won their domestic league match this past weekend, defeating OGC Nice by a score of 1-0. However, they sat at the bottom of the table tied with Apollon Limassol in the group, with just one point. They were hoping to finally secure their first win of the competition this season at their home stadium of the Stade Vélodrome.
Simone Inzaghi chose to stick with his usual 3-5-1-1 formation, but instead of keeping the same starting eleven from the weekend, he removed Patric, Luis Alberto, and Luiz Felipe, to include Uruguayan International wing-back Martin Caceres, Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo, and Brazilian defender Wallace (Joaquin Correa and Dusan Basta suspended; Riza Durmisi injured; Patric and Jordan Lukaku excluded from Europa League squad list). His starting eleven consisted of the following players:
Former Roma manager Rudi Garcia turned-over his squad to include many new faces from the weekend. French veteran striker Valère Germain, Serbian winger Nemanja Radonjić, Marseille graduate Maxime Lopez, and right-back Bouna Sarr were replaced by Greek international striker Kostas Mitroglou, Argentine winger Lucas Ocampos, Brazilian defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, and Japanese International right-back Hiroki Sakai.
Match Highlights
The goalscorers of the match were:
- 10′ – Wallace (Lazio) https://twitter.com/The_Laziali/status/1055538094974234624;
- 59′ – Caicedo (Lazio) https://twitter.com/The_Laziali/status/1055554779395579904;
- 86′ – Dmitri Payet (Marseille) https://twitter.com/LVLaziali/status/1055561755126972416;
- 90′ – Marusic (Lazio) https://twitter.com/The_Laziali/status/1055562376819499008.
Substitutions (Lazio)
The first substitution for Lazio at the start of the second half in the 46′. Lucas Leiva pulled up with an injury and could not continue. Marusic entered on the right flank, sending Caceres to the left flank, Senad Lulic to a central midfield role (alongside Sergej Milinkovic-Savic), and Marco Parolo to the center-defensive midfield role.
The second substitution from Inzaghi came when he removed Lulic in the 62′ (who was on a yellow card) to insert Kosovan international Valon Berisha. A smart move.
The third and last substitution supposedly came from injury as well in the 74′, as Caicedo was forced off of the pitch. Danilo Cataldi was the surprise name to enter the field.
Substitutions (Marseille)
The first two substitutions came in the 66′ as Germain and Clinton Njié replaced Mitroglou and Morgan Sanson. A straight swap for fresh legs in the same attacking positions.
The third and final substitution came when Sarr replaced Jordan Amavi. A defender for a defender.
Thoughts and Opinions
@S_K_MOORE on Twitter
“Lazio had a great display tonight. It was the perfect way to make up for the disastrous 4-1 loss in Matchday 2 of the competition.”
“They allowed Marseille a lot of the ball, but they did not allow them to do much with it; they pressed high and struck on the counter while keeping a tight 3-5-1-1 formation when defending. This led to a constant attack from the Biancocelesti, a poor pass accuracy from the Ligue 1 side (as they continuously failed to create any chances), and long-distance shots being taken (that Thomas Strakosha could cooly parry away).”
“A negative: the match should have been over in the first half. Lazio had a shot go off the post and a penalty denied; they continue to struggle in terms of putting the match away early and score when they should be. This allows their opponents to remain in the match. Risky.”
“The second half was a safe and controlled performance. Inzaghi’s substitutions were perfect: loved to see Berisha and Cataldi get playing time. An unfortunate injury to Lucas Leiva caused the substitution of Marusic, but it worked out as he scored the matches’ final goal.”
“Impressed with the Caicedo-Immobile duo up top, the midfield trio (Milinkovic Savic-Lucas Leiva-Parolo; later Berisha-Parolo-Cataldi) keeping shape throughout the match, and Caceres showing his experience on the flanks.”
“Wallace has had very hot and cold moments: can either be a hero or an antagonist from one play.”
“3 points in the bag, Forza Lazio.”
Match Ratings
Starting XI
- Strakosha 7
- Radu 7
- Acerbi 7.5
- Wallace 8
- Caceres 6.5
- Parolo 7.5
- Lucas Leiva 7
- Milinkovic-Savic 6.5
- Lulic 7
- Caicedo 8
- Immobile 8
Substitutions
- Cataldi N/A
- Marusic 7.5
- Berisha 7
