Lazio couldn’t make the most out of their numerical advantage late in the match, as Cagliari were able to cling to the draw.
Lazio Starting Lineup
Maurizio Sarri’s selections included a couple of surprises. Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni made an immediate return to the starting lineup after several weeks on the sidelines, joining Daniel Maldini and Gustav Isaksen in attack. Reda Belahyane was also given the nod, forming a midfield trio with Nicolo Rovella and Kenneth Taylor.
Oliver Provstgaard filled in for the injured Mario Gila, so Alessio Romagnoli moved slightly to the right. Adam Marusic and Luca Pellegrini, with Ivan Provedel in goal.
Cagliari Came Closer in Tepid First Half
The Biancocelesti had the bulk of possession in the first period, but they failed to trouble Elia Caprile on a single occasion. On the other hand, the Isolani threatened the visitors’ goal on three occasions. The first was a corner kick that was headed just wide by Ze Pedro. Afterwards, Adam Obert delivered a sublime cross from the left side, but Michel Adopo’s header whistled past the post.
Finally, Marco Palestra launched a chance down the right flank. The young winger picked up Adopo with a through ball, and the latter cut it back to Sebastiano Esposito, who escaped Romagnoli but just couldn’t hit the target. Therefore, the two sides went to the interval with nothing to separate them.
Tijjani Noslin Make Immediate Impact
If the action in the first half was scarce, the second period was almost listless, at least until Tijjani Noslin’s introduction in the 84th minute. The Dutch striker made a daring run to the box that conjured a second yellow card for Yerry Mina as well as a free kick at the edge of the box.
Cataldi tried to beat Caprile at his near corner with a cheeky effort, but the Cagliari goalkeeper was alert to the danger. The Lazio midfielder then came close to breaking the deadlock deep into added time, his long-range curler sailed just wide, as the score remained goalless.
10-man Cagliari will be happy with their point given the circumstances, but for Lazio, this was yet another confirmation of their faded European hopes, at least through Serie A.
Cagliari 0-0 Lazio
Cagliari (3-5-2) : Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Dossena; Palestra, Sulemana, Adopo, Mazzitelli (41′ Idrissi), Obert; Kilicsoy (87′ Zappa), Esposito (72′ Trepy).
Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Provstgaard, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (71′ Tavares); Belahyane, Rovella (59′ Cataldi), Taylor; Isaksen (59′ Cancellieri), Maldini (71′ Ratkov), Zaccagni (84′ Noslin).
Referee: Antonio Rapuano (Rimini section); Linesmen: Costanzo – Fontani; Fourth official: Galipò; VAR: Maggioni; AVAR: Maresca
Yellow cards: 26′ – 85′ Mina (C), 46′ Pellegrini (L), 56′ Zé Pedro (C), 64′ Provstgaard (L)
Red Card: 85′ Mina (C)
