Atalanta 1-1 Lazio: Motta’s Shoot-out Heroics Send Aquile to Coppa Italia Final

Lazio have punched their ticket to the Coppa Italia final after prevailing over their hosts Atalanta in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The two sides had settled for a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Rome, but this time, there had to be a winner. The rivals couldn’t be separated after another 90 minutes in Bergamo, with the scoreline showing 1-1, while the extra time ended goalless. Therefore, the contest had to be decided by spot-kicks, and Edoardo Motta emerged as the ultimate hero.

Atalanta & Lazio Starting Lineups

Nikola Krstovic led Atalanta’s 3-4-2-1 formation, supported by Nicola Zalewski and Charles De Ketelaere. Marten de Roon and Ederson operated in the double pivot, while Davide Zappacosta and Lorenzo Bernasconi took the wing-back slots.

On the other hand, Maurizio Sarri opted for his usual 4-3-3 system, with the in-form Tijjani Noslin leading the line, flanked by Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni. In midfield, Patric started between Kenneth Taylor and Toma Basic, while Adam Marusic made his return from injury, joining Nuno Tavares, Alessio Romagnoli, and Mario Gila at the back.

Mario Gila Keeps Lazio Alive in First Half

The first 45 minutes proved to be a timid affair, with both sides approaching the game with extra caution. Nevertheless, Atalanta held possession for the vast majority of the first half, and they were able to threaten on a few occasions.

Luckily for the visitors, they were able to rely on the robust Gila to save the day. Krstovic was put through with a sublime vertical cross, but the Spanish defender was able to produce a perfectly-timed intervention to clear the danger.

Later in the first half, a cross from the left side was brought down to Zalewski, who aimed at goal from close range, but Gila appeared out of nowhere to block the shot with his body.

On the other hand, Lazio’s best chance in the first half ensued in the 27th minute, when Cancellieri picked up a loose ball and ran towards the box, but his telegraphed shot was comfortably blocked by the backline.

Lazio Saved by VAR

After the break, Atalanta came close to scoring when Patric lost possession in a dangerous area. De Ketelaere fed Krstovic with a through ball, but Edoardo Motta was able to punch it out.

Afterwards, Motta tried to gather the ball following an awkward clearance from Gila, but Krstovic took it from underneath him, allowing Ederson to score from a tap-in. However, the VAR intervened, summoning the match official for an on-field review. The referee decided that the Atalanta striker had indeed fouled the Lazio goalkeeper, who had his hands on the ball, so he decided to rule out the goal.

Mario Pasalic Responds to Alessio Romagnoli

In the 84th minute, Lazio broke the deadlock from a corner kick delivered by Mattia Zaccagni. Romagnoli was able to ward off Berat Djimsiti to put his foot through it and find the bottom corner.

Sadly for the Biancocelesti, their celebration was short-lived, as Mario Pasalic almost immediately responded after being set up by Krstovic. The Croatian midfielder sent a low drive between a sea of legs, and his attempt appeared to be heading off target, a slight deflection off Taylor was enough to redirect it goalwards.

Shortly following his introduction, Gianluca Scamacca almost won it for the hosts with a header deep in added time, but Motta was able to pull off a fingertip save, which proved just enough to direct the ball towards the post, thus forcing extra time.

Another Atalanta Goal Ruled Out in Extra Time

The extra time was a largely uneventful affair, although Atalanta thought they had scored in the 96th minute through Giocamo Raspadori, but VAR ruled it out for an offside on Zappacosta. Romagnoli almost won it in the final minutes, but he couldn’t connect with Tavares’ free-kick, so the contest headed to penalty shout-outs.

Edoardo Motta Saves Four Penalties

Raspadori scored the opening spot-kick for Atalanta, but Motta retaliated by stopping the next four in an astonishing showing. His save on De Ketelaere proved sufficient, as Gustav Isaksen and Taylor had scored for Lazio following Tavares and Danilo Cataldi’s misses.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper thus booked the Biancocelesti’s place in the grand final against Inter Milan, keeping the club’s European hopes alive and kicking.

Atalanta 1(1) – 1(2) Lazio

Goals: 84′ Romagnoli (L), 86′ Pasalic (A).

ATALANTA (3-4-2-1) : Carnesecchi; Scalvini (93′ Ahanor), Djimsiti, Kolasinac (71′ Kossounou); Zappacosta, De Roon (71′ Pasalic), Ederson, Bernasconi (55′ Bellanova); De Ketelaere, Zalewski (71′ Raspadori); Krstovic (89′ Scamacca). 

LAZIO (4-3-3):  Motta; Marusic (67′ Lazzari), Gila (77′ Provstgaard), Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Basic (77′ Dele-Bashiru), Patric (84′ Cataldi), Taylor; Cancellieri (67′ Isaksen), Noslin, Zaccagni (102′ Pedro). 

Referee: Colombo (Como section); Assistants: Imperiale – Costanzo; 4th Official: Zufferli; VAR : Abisso;VAR : Maresca

Yellow cards: 31′ Kolasinac (A), 37′ Cancellieri (L), 117′ Scamacca (A), 120′ Lazzari (L)

PENALTIES

5th De Ketelaere: saved.

4th Taylor: Goal.

4th Pasalic: saved.

3rd Isaksen: Goal

3rd Zappacosta: Saved.

2nd Cataldi: post.

2nd Scamacca: Saved.

1st Tavares: saved.

1st Raspadori: Goal.