A 10-man Hellas Verona left Lazio incensed after a tense clash in Veneto ended 1-1, despite the Biancocelesti’s dominance.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have looked all over the place this season but in recent weeks things started looking up, with the team picking up three consecutive wins against Celtic, Cagliari and Genoa, allowing them to start rebuilding some confidence.
Hellas Verona have looked dire this term following their bright start, picking up two wins in August before going on a 12-game winless run, leaving them in the relegation zone. Draws against Udinese and Lecce in their last two outings showed the Gialloblu were starting to regain ground.
Lazio started the match at the Stadio Marcoantonio Bentegodi well, dominating the play, and Mattia Zaccagni punished his old club in the 23rd minute with a slick back-hell flick. He refused to celebrate, respecting his former home.
Adam Marusic suffered an apparent eye issue after colliding with Cyril Ngonge, forcing him off the pitch in the 29th minute. He was replaced by Elseid Hysaj.
The Biancocelesti maintained the pressure in the second half but struggled to convert that into chances, giving the home side a way back into the match.
Hellas Verona eventually seized their opportunity in the 70th minute through Thomas Henry’s scrappy goal, drawing them level despite the balance of play.
After this, Lazio pushed hard to respond and thought Nicolo Casale had put them ahead in the 74th minute, but his header was ruled out for a foul on Ondrej Duda.
Duda was shown a second yellow card just minutes later and Lazio fought bitterly to try and find a winner, but their efforts were in vain as a 10-man Verona held on to secure a point at home.
