In Matchday 12 of the 2020/21 Serie A, Lazio travelled to the Stadio Ciro Vigorito to take on newly-promoted Benevento.
These two sides had previously only met on three occasions before this fixture, with the Biancocelesti coming out on top in each of the three matches by a four-goal margin. While Lazio were favoured to win (once again) in this match, to the surprise of most calcio fans, it ended with a 1-1 draw.
The first goal came in the 25th minute from Simone Inzaghi’s men through no other than Ciro Immobile. The ball moved to the right flank through a quick combination of passes between Wesley Hoedt, Joaquin Correa, Gonzalo Escalante and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Manuel Lazzari received the ball on the right sideline before playing the ball inside to Correa, who then dished it back off to Milinkovic-Savic with a one-touch pass. This left the Serbian in plenty of room to place a perfectly delivered cross into the Benevento 18-yard-box. He picked out Immobile who got in front of his defender and hit a wonderfully hit right-footed volley over Lorenzo Montipò in goal. 1-0.
Filippo Inzaghi’s side would equalize, however, right on the stroke of half-time. Pasquale Schiattarella scored Benevento’s goal with a well-hit left-footed volley from inside Lazio’s 18-yard box that flew into the bottom right corner of Pepe Reina’s goal. This opportunity arose off of a corner that was not cleared properly by the Biancocelesti. 1-1.
Despite each side having their respective opportunities to score a second goal, this match ended in a 1-1 draw, much to the disappointment of Laziali.
Something seems to not be working in the Lazio camp, who have failed to find form in recent weeks. They look like a mediocre side with no creativity or gameplan. In addition, confusing managerial choices from Inzaghi has left supporters quite frustrated.
The Biancocelesti’s record is now 5W-3D-4L in the top flight of Italian football, collecting just 18 from a possible 36 points.
