Lazio put together one of the worst performances of the season in their defeat to Fiorentina, showing almost nothing on note in Florence.
The Biancocelesti had returned to winning ways last week with a much needed 2-0 win away to Torino, restoring their confidence a little after the 2-1 defeat to Bologna. Despite their win over Bayern Munich, it’s clear that the team still haven’t found any consistency yet.
Fiorentina have also been in a strange position over the last few weeks, only winning one match in their last five league games prior to the clash with Lazio on Monday evening, leaving them at risk of slipping out of the race for European qualification.
At a packed Stadio Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina got off to a flying start and almost took the lead in the 18th minute, when Nico Gonzalez’s shot bounced off the post and Giacomo Bonaventura’s rebound attempt sailed just over the crossbar.
The Viola hit the woodwork again just minutes later with an Andrea Belotti header, clearly knocking on the door of Ivan Provedel’s goal. They hit the Lazio post a third time in the 40th minute, looking only a matter of time until their first.
In the closing moments of the first half, Lazio unexpectedly after a strong counter attack saw Mateo Guendouzi play a pass into a sprinting Luis Alberto, who guided the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Fiorentina responded just after the hour mark, when Michael Kayode’s clever positioning allowed him to easily pass the ball into the back of the Biancocelesti net, drawing the hosts level.
Just minutes later, the Viola were awarded a penalty after Nicolo Casale clumsily brought down Belotti in the box. Gonzalez stepped up but his effort bounced off the post and was cleared away, letting Lazio off the hook.
It ultimately didn’t matter though, as Fiorentina found their advantage in the 69th minute after Bonaventura cleaned up a rebound to put the home side ahead.
Lazio couldn’t respond in the final 20 minutes and were forced to return home to the capital with nothing, leaving Maurizio Sarri furious on the sidelines.
