Lazio were unable to rise to the occasion in their final Champions League group game, falling to Atletico Madrid in a 2-0 defeat.
The Biancocelesti had already booked their spot in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition after their win over Celtic at the end of last month, taking off some of the pressure ahead of their trip to the Spanish capital.
Whilst Lazio have looked strong in the Champions League this season, they’ve continued to struggle with inconsistency in Serie A, seen again in their frustrating 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on the weekend.
Atletico started the match at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano on the front foot and took the lead in the sixth minute after poor defensive positioning allowed Samuel Dias Lino to steal possession and charge down the left side, where he centred a pass to a waiting Antoine Griezmann.
The French veteran made no mistake from around 12 yards out, easily guiding the ball past a diving Ivan Provedel.
Lazio quickly tried to respond and had a good chance through Mattia Zaccagni in the 12th minute, but his shot trailed just wide.
The home side thought they’d doubled their lead in the 38th minute with a classy Mario Hermoso volley, but it was ruled out after a VAR check confirmed an offside, with Lino blocking Provedel on the line.
Zaccagni had a spectacular chance before half time, leaping into the air as he attempted a bicycle kick, but he connected poorly with the ball and it bounced off Luis Alberto before ricocheting over the crossbar.
Some clever movement in the penalty area allowed Atletico to secure their second goal of the night in the 51st minute, with Lino finishing off an inventive attacking move to double the home side’s advantage.
Lazio ultimately failed to respond and fell in a 2-0 defeat to Atletico, bringing their Champions League group stage to a close.
