In the penultimate fixture of Serie A Matchday 35, Lazio turned the result upside-down in the second half to beat Cremonese by two goals to one at the Stadio Zini.
Cremonese & Lazio Starting Lineups
Marco Giampaolo opted for a 4-4-2 formation led by Antonio Sanarbia and Federico Bonazzoli. In the middle of the park, Youssef Maleh combined with Alberto Grassi, while Lazio youth product Romano Floriani Mussolini started on the right wing, with Alessio Zerbin on the opposite flank. Filippo Terracciano, Federico Baschitotto, Sebastiano Luperto, and Giuseppe Pezzela constituted the backline.
For his part, Maurizio Sarri revamped his attack, with Daniel Maldini spearheading the 4-3-3 lineup, supported by Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni. In the middle of the park, Patric started between Toma Basic and Kenneth Taylor, while Adam Marusic and Nuno Tavares returned to the first XI, joining Alessio Romagnoli and Oliver Provstgaard at the back.
Edoardo Motta Fumbles Easy Save
Lazio dominated possession in the early going, but failed to produce anything noteworthy throughout the first half. Their most dangerous chance came from a Zaccagni freekick that found Provstgaard at the back post, but the defender’s header evaded the goal.
On the other end of the pitch, Cremonese managed to score from their first shot on target. Bonazzoli tried his luck from long range. Edoardo Motta had a few bodies in front of him, but he was still expected to make the save. The young goalkeeper tried to block the shot with his foot, but ended up shipping in an utterly avoidable goal.
The opener gave the hosts some self-belief, and they became the more dangerous side. Provstgaard caused chaos in the box with an overhit pass that Patric couldn’t control. Zerbin suddenly found himself in front of goal, but couldn’t apply the finish, with his left-footed shot going high and wide.
Gustav Isaksen Equalizes for Lazio
After the break, Sarri made two immediate substitutions, bringing in Tijjani Noslin and Nicolo Rovella for Maldini and Patric. The changes paid dividends, with the Biancocelesti levelling the score eight minutes into the second half.
Tavares deserves the bulk of the credit as he picked up the ball inside his own box and launched a glorious run towards the other end of the pitch, leaving the likes of Grassi, Maleh, and Matteo Bianchetti in the dust. The Portuguese left-back found Noslin in the box, and the latter unselfishly laid it in Isaksen’s path. The Dane made no mistake in front of goal, placing the ball in the top corner.
Tijjani Noslin Wins it for Lazio
After the equalizer, the two sides traded jabs, but Cremonese created the more dangerous chances. Motta was easily dispossessed by Bonazzali, but the latter squandered the opportunity to punish the goalkeeper for his second mistake of the game, instead laying the ball in his path. The Lazio custodian then produced a couple of saves to deny the Tigers.
While the game appeared to be heading towards a draw, Noslin scored the injury-time winner. The Dutchman, who had moved to the left wing following Boulaye Dia’s introduction, played a give-and-go with his Senegalese teammates before curling one toward the far post. The shot was so well-executed that it beat the outstretched Emil Audero.
Lazio thus retained their 8th place in the table, reducing the gap with Atalanta to four points and keeping their morale high ahead of next week’s all-important Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan.
Cremonese 1-2 Lazio
Goals: 29′ Bonazzoli (C), 53′ Isaksen (L), 90’+2 Noslin (L)
Cremonese (4-4-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto (21′ Bianchetti), Luperto, Pezzella; Floriani (68′ Barbieri), Grassi (60′ Bondo), Maleh, Zerbin (60′ Payero); Bonazzoli, Sanabria (60′ Vardy).
Lazio (4-3-3): Motta; Marusic, Provstgaard, Romagnoli, Tavares; Basic, Patric (45′ Rovella), Taylor (71′ Dele-Bashiru); Isaksen (81′ Dia), Maldini (45′ Noslin), Zaccagni (60′ Pedro).
Referee: Daniele Chiffi; Linesmen: Dei Giudici – C. Rossi; Fourth official: Calzavara; VAR: Camplone; AVAR: Mazzoleni.
Yellow cards: 40′ Provstgaard (L), 75′ Barbieri (C), 88′ Tavares (L).
I did not care for the win, but it feels good to grab it . What I like even more is that we scored the 8th goal in extra time and that is 2 more than any other team so we can always hope to the end. The even better news is that Rovella is back, played 45 minutes and is gaining optimum fitness levels. Another 45 vs Inter in serie A and he is ready for the final, which is the best news.
Now about Sarri, at this point he must utilise Npslin ahead of Maldini upfront, there is no reason to start the Italian over him. With Gila at the back, we will have a serious say for the trophy on the 13th.
The only question now is starting Basic or Dele Bashiru, they seem close to eachother…
Nuno is an absolute beast!
I’m not sure about Noslin over Maldini to start. On paper, absolutely – that’s a no brainer. But Noslin’s a strange player… his best outings are off the bench, and when he starts he’s usually ineffective.
Happy to see the rotation from Sarri though!
That is true, but Maldini was poor again. If he starts again in the league and is poor vs Inter too, I would even throw Ratkov ahead of him
But yeah u are correct to say Noslin better of the bench