The game started on a controversial note, setting the tone for the rest of the day. Nicolo Rovella swung his right foot onto Gustav Isaksen’s pass and shot into the top corner from the turn. However, just 70 seconds later, his joy was short-lived.
The goal was cancelled after a VAR check on the pitch, which recognized Rovella’s foul on Anas Haj Mohamed early in the game. Many saw the decision as harsh, creating tension that reverberated throughout the match and bringing down all the odds on sports betting outside Gamstop.
Parma Seize the Initiative
Minutes after the disallowed goal, Parma capitalized on a Lazio mistake. Rovella’s wayward back-pass towards Alessio Romagnoli was intercepted by Dennis Man, who beat Ivan Provedel with ease. This early goal tilted the momentum in Parma’s favour, and the home side made sure to build on it.
VAR Controversy & Missed Opportunities for Lazio
Lazio seemed to have found the equalizer on a couple of occasions, but luck was not on their side. Taty Castellanos’ looping header was cleared off the line by Norbert Balogh, keeping Parma’s lead intact. Later, Castellanos found the back of the net again, but he was ruled offside, denying Lazio a vital equalizer.
Their frustration continued when a penalty was awarded to Mattia Zaccagni after a tussle with Parma’s Mandela Keita. But once again, the referee changed his decision following a VAR review, judging that Zaccagni had made contact with Keita rather than the other way around.
Parma Double Their Lead
With the atmosphere already tense, Parma extended their advantage in the second half. Mario Gila’s mistake in midfield led Gabriel Charpentier to find Anas Haj Mohamed, who made the most of his opportunity. Haj Mohamed, making his first Serie A start, curled a wonderful shot into the far top corner, giving Provedel no chance and marking his debut goal in impressive fashion.
Castellanos Pulls One Back for Lazio
Lazio finally got on the scoresheet late in the match. A miscommunication between Parma’s Emanuele Valeri and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki left the ball loose, allowing Castellanos to capitalize and bundle it over the line. However, just as the visitors seemed to have gained a lifeline, they were struck down by another Parma counter.
Parma Seal the Win
As Lazio pressed for an equalizer, they were caught out on the counter-attack. Enrico Delprato started a powerful run from his own half, connecting with Charpentier’s assist and confidently beating Provedel one-on-one to make it 3-1. It was a decisive blow that sealed Lazio’s fate.
Tactical Analysis: Lazio’s Approach & Mistakes
Marco Baroni set his Lazio side in a hybrid formation, switching between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 depending on Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s role in midfield. The flexibility in their formation allowed Lazio to adapt their game, but it also left them vulnerable during moments of transition, particularly when building from the back.
Risky Play From the Back
Baroni encourages his players to play out from the back, a high-risk strategy that showed both its merits and pitfalls in this match. Rovella and Mario Gila’s mistakes directly led to Parma goals, underlining the dangers of trying to play intricate passes under pressure. Baroni, however, stood by his philosophy, stating his preference for controlled build-up play rather than aimless long balls.
Parma’s Quick Counter-Attacks
Parma, on the other hand, set up defensively but attacked with intent whenever they had the chance. They executed quick, effective counters that caught Lazio off guard, especially for their third goal. Gabriel Charpentier’s pace and skill in midfield proved crucial in creating chances for the home side.
Player Performances
Standout Performers
- Anas Haj Mohamed (Parma): The young Tunisian marked his first Serie A start with an incredible goal. His confident display helped Parma keep Lazio at bay throughout the match.
- Dennis Man (Parma): Man was constantly on the move, scoring Parma’s opening goal and creating problems for Lazio’s defence.
- Taty Castellanos (Lazio): Despite being on the losing side, Castellanos showed determination, pulling one goal back and constantly pressing Parma’s backline.
Struggles for Key Players
- Nicolò Rovella (Lazio): A mixed performance from the Italian midfielder, whose initial brilliance was overshadowed by a costly mistake that allowed Parma to open the scoring.
- Mario Gila (Lazio): Another player whose error led to a crucial Parma goal, highlighting some vulnerability in Lazio’s backline.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Parma | Lazio |
| Possession (%) | 42 | 58 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 6 |
| Total Shots | 12 | 16 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 77 | 82 |
Key Moments of the Match
- Rovella’s Disallowed Goal: A powerful strike was disallowed after VAR intervention, setting a controversial tone.
- Dennis Man’s Opener: Capitalising on Rovella’s mistake, Man gave Parma an early lead.
- Revoked Penalty Decision: VAR stepped in to cancel a penalty awarded to Zaccagni, adding to Lazio’s frustration.
- Haj Mohamed’s Goal: A stunning curler that put Parma firmly in control.
- Castellanos’ Goal: Lazio’s only goal came from a defensive mix-up, but hope was short-lived.
- Delprato’s Counter-Attack Goal: A well-taken goal to seal the win, exploiting Lazio’s desperate attacking push.
Reflections from Marco Baroni & Ivan Provedel
Lazio coach Marco Baroni emphasised his pride in his players’ performance, despite the mistakes and the defeat. He highlighted their dedication and effort, noting that the team gave everything on the pitch. Baroni also spoke about the need to maintain focus and avoid costly errors, especially when playing from the back.
Goalkeeper Ivan Provedel echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the disappointment and frustration felt in the locker room after the match. Provedel stressed the importance of unity and determination as they look ahead to their upcoming clashes against Napoli in both the Coppa Italia and Serie A.
Summary
Lazio’s loss to Parma ended their impressive five-game winning streak in Serie A. The match was defined by early drama, with disallowed goals, a revoked penalty, and costly mistakes. Parma’s clinical finishing, especially from Haj Mohamed and Delprato, made the difference as they capitalized on Lazio’s errors.
Lazio will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matches against Napoli, focusing on eliminating mistakes and building on their otherwise positive recent performances. Meanwhile, Parma will look to carry forward the momentum from this vital victory.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Lazio: Next up, Lazio face Napoli in a tough sequence of games, hoping to bounce back from this setback and return to winning ways.
- Parma: After their success, Parma will aim to further improve their standing in Serie A, facing Spezia in their upcoming fixture.
FAQ
What Was the Result of the Parma vs Lazio Match?
Parma defeated Lazio 3-1, ending Lazio’s five-game winning streak in Serie A.
Why Was Nicolò Rovella’s Goal Disallowed?
Rovella’s goal was disallowed following a VAR review, which determined that there was a foul in the build-up on Anas Haj Mohamed.
How Did Parma Manage to Win Against Lazio?
Parma capitalized on Lazio’s mistakes and executed effective counter-attacks, leading to goals from Dennis Man, Anas Haj Mohamed, and Enrico Delprato.
What Were the Key Moments in the Match?
Key moments included Rovella’s disallowed goal, Dennis Man’s opener, a revoked penalty decision for Lazio, Haj Mohamed’s stunning goal, Castellanos pulling one back, and Delprato sealing the win.
Who Were the Standout Players in the Match?
Anas Haj Mohamed and Dennis Man were standout performers for Parma, while Taty Castellanos showed determination for Lazio despite the defeat.
What Are the Upcoming Fixtures for Lazio & Parma?
Lazio will face Napoli next in both the Coppa Italia and Serie A, while Parma will play against Spezia in their next fixture.
