The Italian newspapers picked Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas as the Man of the Match in their player ratings as the Biancocelesti prevailed over Empoli in Sunday’s early Serie A kickoff.
The capital side was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the club’s maiden Scudetto title. The Greek’s heroics between the posts prevented the Tuscan visitors from ruining the occasion. Mandas pulled off two jaw-dropping saves to deny Ciccio Caputo in the first half, and a last-gasp freekick from Lazio loanee Matteo Cancellieri.
Therefore, the Italian newspaper handed the 22-year-old high grades, varying between 7/10 and 8/10. Patric and Daichi Kamada also received decent notes after combining to score the opener. The same goes for substitutes Pedro and Matias Vecino. The Spaniard produced the assist for the Uruguayan’s goal which sealed the 2-0 win. Below are the player ratings from Italy’s most renowned newspapers (via La Lazio Siamo Noi).
IL CORRIERE DELLO SPORT – Mandas 7,5; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 6; Lazzari 5.5, Guendouzi 6 (Vecino 7), Kamada 7 (Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Felipe Anderson 5.5 (Rovella 5.5), Zaccagni 6 (Pedro 6.5); Immobile 5.5 (Castellanos 5,5). Tudor 6,5.
LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT – Mandas 7; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 5.5; Lazzari 5, Guendouzi 6 (Vecino 6.5), Kamada 7 (Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Felipe Anderson 5.5 (Rovella 5.5), Zaccagni 6.5 (Pedro 6.5); Immobile 6 (20′ st Castellanos 6). Tudor 6,5.
IL MESSAGGERO – Mandas 8; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 6; Lazzari 6, Guendouzi 5 (Vecino 7), Kamada 7 (Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Zaccagni 6,5 (Pedro 6,5), Felipe 5 (Rovella 6); Immobile 5 (Castellanos 6). Tudor 6,5
CORRIERE DELLA SERA – Mandas 7; Patric 7, Romagnoli 5,5, Hysaj 6; Lazzari 6, Guendouzi 5,5 (Vecino 7), Kamada 6,5 (Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; F. Anderson 5 (Rovella 6), Zaccagni 6 (Pedro 6); Immobile 5 (Castellanos 6). Tudor 6
LA REPUBBLICA – Mandas 8; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 6; Lazzari 6, Guendouzi 5 ( Vecino 7), Kamada 7 (43’ st Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Felipe Anderson 5 (Rovella 6), Zaccagni 6.5 (Pedro 6.5); Immobile 5 (Castellanos 6). Tudor 6.5.
IL TEMPO – Mandas 7.5; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 5.5; Lazzari 5.5, Guendouzi 6 (Vecino 7), Kamada 6.5 (Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Felipe Anderson 5.5 (20′ st Rovella 6), Zaccagni 6 (Pedro 6.5); Immobile 5.5 (2Castellanos 5.5). Tudor 6
LA STAMPA – Mandas 7,5; Patric 7, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 6; Lazzari 6, Guendouzi 5,5 (Vecino 6,5), Kamada 6,5 (43′ st Cataldi N/A), Marusic 6; Felipe Anderson 6 (Rovella 6), Zaccagni 6 (Pedro 6); Immobile 5 (Castellanos 5,5). Tudor 6,5.