Lazio put an end to their miserable start to the year with a difficult 2-0 win over a desperate Sassuolo side.
The Biancocelesti were left scratching their heads after a confusing start to the year that saw them drop points twice from winning positions, losing to Lecce after a 1-0 lead and drawing with Empoli after going 2-0 up. Maurizio Sarri was clearly furious and underlined his squad’s mental drops in matches, something he wanted to see resolved soon.
Luckily for Sarri and Lazio, they rose to the occasion against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium, finally returning to winning ways. Their afternoon was only spoilt by a worrying injury for Ciro Immobile, who was forced off after just 15 minutes with a thigh issue.
It was a tight contest in the first half in Reggio Emilia but Lazio eventually found the breakthrough after a Jeremy Toljan handball in the dying minutes of the half, leading to a penalty. Mattia Zaccagni stepped up to the 12-yard spot and slotted the ball home, putting the away side 1-0 up just before the break.
A cagey second half followed, with both sides making slightly lacklustre ventures forward throughout the 45 minutes. Neither looked particularly close to finding the back of the net and the flow of the game was often disjointed. Felipe Anderson crowned off the win with a comfortable goal in extra time, confirming the victory for the Biancocelesti.
Lazio secured an important result in Reggio Emilia, giving them a much-needed three points after their slow start to 2023. Sassuolo will be left even more concerned than before, now flirting dangerously close to the relegation zone.
