Lazio defeated relegated Brescia 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 37 of the 2019/20 Serie A. The Biancocelesti were unlucky to not have scored more than two goals, as the match was completely dominated by Simone Inzaghi’s men.
First Half
The match started with a missed header from Brescia striker Ernesto Torregrossa. The Italian should have hammered home the open opportunity, but instead overhit the ball over the net. This provided an opportunity for Ciro Immobile to score his 35th goal of the season, though Immobile sent a rare outside-the-box shot just wide of the net.
In the 17th minute, some wonderful passing between Immobile and Joaquin Correa led to the match’s opening goal from Correa. The poor Brescia defense provided Correa with an open opportunity only a few yards away, and the Argentinian scored easily. Immobile was brilliant on the play, holding up the ball and in doing so separating the Brescia centrebacks, giving Correa a perfect goalscoring opportunity.
Immobile would have 10 total shots in the match, six of which were on target. One of those best attempts came at the end of the first half. A cross from winger Jony met Immobile perfectly, but his powerful header was saved by Brescia’s usual third-choice goalkeeper Lorenzo Andrenacci.
Andrenacci had a spectacular match as well, he made 10 saves in the match and prevented Lazio from potentially scoring four or five goals against Brescia.
Second Half
Lazio spent the second half dominating possession and attacking chances, much like they did in the first. Furthermore, the Lazio defensive three dominated in this match once again.
Luiz Felipe, as error-prone as he can be, has made a notable difference in the Lazio defense since returning from injury. Against Brescia, the Brazilian made three tackles and completed 54 passes at a 98% success rate. Francesco Acerbi made two tackles and 58 passes at 97% success. Finally, Patric won three aerial duels and completed 98 passes at a success rate of 90%.
Despite not getting a goal or an assist, Luis Alberto also had a dominating match. The Spaniard completed 89 total passes, seven of which were key passes. He also completed six shots and was a victim of the aforementioned Andrenacci’s great goalkeeping.
Immobile meanwhile was still trying to lock down his 35th goal of the season. He had several shots saved and a brilliant 1-on-1 opportunity go just wide of the net. In the 82nd minute, Immobile received a brilliant pass from Correa and hammered home his goal, and closing out a match that was all Lazio for all 90 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Lazio were somewhat unlucky and somewhat too sloppy and too comfortable to not end the match with more than two goals. Overall, the match was a masterclass in what Simone Inzaghi’s system can do when everything is working as it should. The defense was dynamic, the midfield was creative, and the attack was fluid and relentless.
With the Scudetto already with Juventus and UEFA Champions League confirmed, Lazio’s main goal is to get Immobile at or above 36 goals. The Biancocelesti will be facing off against Napoli, whose former striker Gonzalo Higuain alone holds the Serie A single-season scoring record with the aforementioned 36 goals.
Other than that, Lazio still have the opportunity to get second place. With Inter and Atalanta playing each other, a win for the Biancocelesti would ensure at least third in the Serie A table, though this honour is more about pride than anything else.
