Lazio maintained their perfect pre-season record, registering their fourth win of the summer, this time at the expense of their hosts Ascoli.
Lazio Starting Lineup
Following Saturday’s 6-3 win over Avellino, the Biancocelesti entered Sunday’s contest at the Stadio Del Duca with eight different starters. The only survivors from the previous day were Christos Mandas in goal, Adam Marusic, who moved to left-back, and Boulaye Dia, who led Gennaro Gattuso’s 4-3-3 formation, flanked by Tijjani Noslin and Mattia Zaccagni.
In the middle of the park, Nicola Rovella operated as a deep-lying playmaker between Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Kenneth Taylor. At the back, Oliver Provstgaard combined with Danilho Doekhi, while Manuel Lazzari took the right-back slot.
Dia Wastes Glorious First-Half Chances
Fueled by the unwavering support of the travelling supporters who flocked into the stadium, Gattuso’s men completely dominated the action in the first half. Taylor came close with a low drive from the edge of the box, while Dele-Bashiru couldn’t make the most of an inviting chance.
However, Dia emerged as the biggest culprit, as despite working himself into perfect shooting angles, he shockingly squandered two major opportunities with tame shots to the centre of the goal.
Ascoli Snatch the Lead
After the interval, Lazio kept pushing for an opener, but they suddenly found themselves trailing, with Ascoli finding a goal against the run of play. Simone D’Uffizi played an inch-perfect through ball that split the Aquile’s defences. Amine Chakir won his foot race with Provstgaard before coolly placing his shot past Mandas.
Mattia Zaccagni Responds with Backheel Finish
Ascoli’s lead was short-lived, as Lazio netted an equalizer five minutes later. Taylor picked up Dia’s run, and the Senegalese was able to send a square ball toward the mouth of the goal. The goalkeeper rushed off his line to clear it, but Zaccagni got there first, putting his name on the scoresheet with a deft backheel.
New Lazio Lineup for the Final 15 Minutes
At the 74th minute, Gattuso changed his entire lineup at once. Edoardo Motta entered in goal, while the new backline consisted of Romano Floriani Mussolini, Ricardo Bordon, Alessio Romagnoli, and Alfonso Pedraza. In midfield, the manager opted for the young trio of Valerio Farcomeni, Reda Belahyane, and Adrian Przyborek, while Matteo Cancellieri and Federico Serra joined Petar Ratkov in Attack.
Petar Ratkov Bags the Winner
Ratkov almost made an immediate impact after receiving a cross from Cancellieri, but his header whistled past the post. Nevertheless, the Serbian striker still managed to net his third goal of the weekend (having bagged a brace on Saturday), getting on the end of Przyborek’s cross from the right flank, and guiding it home with a simple yet clinical finish.
Lazio’s next test will take place at their training ground in Formello on Wednesday, when they host Serie C side Ostia Mare.
Ascoli 1-2 Lazio
Goals: 61′ Chakir (A), 66′ Zaccagni (L), 88′ Ratkov (L)
ASCOLI (4-2-3-1): Vitale; Alagna (69′ Oliveri), Curado (81′ Diamanti), Nicoletti (74′ Rizzo), Guiebre (32′ Zagari); Acampora (74′ Gorica), Milanese (81′ Russo); Silipo (74′ De Pieri), Perciun (86′ Conti), D’Uffizi (74′ Lo Scalzo); Chakir (74′ Gori).
LAZIO (4-3-3): Mandas (74′ Motta); Lazzari (74′ Floriani Mussolini), Doekhi (74′ Bordon), Provstgaard (74′ Romagnoli), Marusic (74′ Pedraza); Dele-Bashiru (74′ Belahyane), Rovella (74′ Farcomeni), Taylor (74′ Przyborek); Noslin (74′ Cancellieri), Dia (74′ Ratkov), Zaccagni (74′ Serra).
Referee: Andrea Zanotti (Rimini section)
Linesmen: Simone Pistarelli – Matteo Lauri
Fourth Officer: Juan Luca Sacchi
So is this dude also coming to play the 4-3-3 system? Coz he hardly uses his preferred 4-2-3-1
He declared that he doesn’t believe Przyborek is suitable as an AM in his system. While he seems to want Rovella and Taylor on the midfield, so unless he’s willing to move Taylor forward and get Cataldi in. There’s not that many options, Dia as a shadow striker didn’t truly work out much. And he doesn’t have the skills to be much of an AM in my opinion either.
So he’s still pretty much awaiting the arrival of an AM.
But it’s hard doing business, when every deal seemingly takes first of all ages. Which opens the door for leaks and competition to emerge. Next Lazio in part of their financial situation, but also because that’s the way our chairman conducts business, they want to get the best deal out of it. While spending preferable little or with a loan structure. Which also opens the doors for other teams to come up with a more direct or feasible solution. I don’t know Fabbiani all too well, but Lotito isn’t one to be known to be either all too empathetic or sympathetic either.
Recently the Danish player not wanting to join. Wouldn’t be surprised if Lazio once again were cold and distant.
But back on-topic, he lacks players. Fortunately he’s playing Ratkov a bit and Mussolini getting minutes.
I think there’s enough quality for the 4-2-3-1 system, but there’s no depth.
The 4-2-3-1 would essentially look like:
Marusic, Provstgaard, Doekhi, Pedraza
Rovella, Taylor
Isaksen, Cataldi(?), Zaccagni
Ratkov
I’d like to see an experiment with Tavares at LB and Pedraza at RB. It’s a shame that Cataldi is injured as I’d like to see how he would do as a make shift 10.
Lazio lacks a true #10 for Gattuso’s preferred system though… Lazio lacks depth as this lineup is a house of cards.