Lazio 1-1 Juventus: Matias Vecino’s Last-Gasp Equalizer Keeps UCL Hopes Alive

At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Lazio and Juventus shared the spoils after a thrilling second half in what was a crucial contest with major European implications

Lazio & Juventus Starting Lineups

In his 4-2-3-1 system, Marco Baroni dropped Boulaye Dia in favour of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru who added depth to the middle of the park, while Matteo Gundouzi and Nicolo Rovella kept their places in the double pivot. Taty Castellanos led the line, supported by Mattia Zaccagni and Gustav Isaksen on the wings.

On his return to the Stadio Olimpico, Juventus manager Igor Tudor started with a 3-4-2-1 formation, spearheaded by Randal Kolo Muani. Nicolas Gonzalez and Weston McKennie played in the hole, while Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli kept the spots in the midfield. Alberto Costa and Timothy Weah took the wingback slots.

Forgettable First Half

The first half was a listless affair, with neither side able to produce anything noteworthy. Dele-Bashiru threatened with an early shot that was parried away by Michele Di Gregorio, while Juve’s most dangerous chance was a low drive from Costa that was cleared off the line by Alessio Romagnoli.

Randal Kolo Muani gives Juventus the Lead

Nevertheless, the contest had saved all the excitement and drama for the second period which began with the Bianconeri’s opener. Weah and McKennie combined on the left flank to set up a header for Kolo Muani. Christos Mandas tried his best to get across in time and managed to put a fist in the way, but the power took it past him.

Pierre Kalulu Sent Off

Afterwards, Pierre Kalulu lost his head for a split second, and Castellanos made a meal out it, theatrically throwing himself to the ground which prompted a VAR review. The canny Argentinian got his wish, as the French defender was sent off by the match official, leaving Juventus to defend their slim lead for more than 30 minutes with a man down.

Lazio Launch Onslaught

After gaining a numerical advantage, Lazio could smell blood and Baroni was quick to introduce more attacking options. Nevertheless, the home side squandered a series of chances. Castellanos thought he had won a spot-kick, but it was overturned by the VAR, while Boulaye Dia’s shot crashed against the post following a fingertip save from Michele Di Gregorio.

Matias Vecino Scores Invaluable Equalizer

Yet, Lazio didn’t give up, and they eventually grabbed a 96th-minute equalizer. Manuel Lazzari’s cross from the right was headed goalwards by Castellanos, but Di Gregorio was equal to the effort. However, Matias Vecino was in the right place at the right time to latch on to the rebound and give his team what could be their most valuable point of the season.

Therefore, Juventus and Lazio remain level on points, while Roma will have a chance to seize fourth place on their own, but must beat Atalanta in Bergamo on Monday.

Lazio 1-1 Juventus

Goals : 51′ Kolo Muani (J), 96′ Vecino(L)

Lazio (4-2-3-1):  Mandas; Marusic (65′ Lazzari), Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Rovella (65′ Vecino); Isaksen (53′ Pedro), Dele-Bashiru (53′ Dia), Zaccagni; Castellanos.

Juventus (3-4-2-1) : Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Renato Veiga, Savona; Alberto Costa (79′ Douglas Luiz), Locatelli, Thuram, Weah; Nico Gonzalez (46′ Conceicao, 86′ Gatti), McKennie; Kolo Muani (76′ Adzic, 86′ Vlahovic).

Referee: Massa

Yellow cards : 21′ Thuram (J), 28′ Savona (J), 55′ Locatelli (J), 69′ Castellanos (L), 80′ Pellegrini (L), 90′ Vecino (L)

Red card: 60′ Kalulu (J)