Gennaro Gattuso prevailed in his touchline battle against his old friend Daniele De Rossi, as Lazio beat Genoa in their first home Serie A fixture of the season.
Davide Frattesi was once again the author of the solitary goal of the evening. Therefore, the Italian international earned the highest rating among Lazio players
Lazio XI (4-3-3)
Christos Mandas – 6
The Greek custodian collected his second straight clean sheet, but unlike last time in Bologna, he only had one routine save to make, parrying the ball away in the 94th minute. He also caused a couple of scares with his distribution.
Romano Floriani Mussolini – 6.5
A convincing display from the Lazio academy product who replaced the injured Adam Marusic. Although he wasn’t spectacular, he made himself useful in both phases of the game.
Danilho Doekhi – 7
The Dutchman was commanding at the back, bullying Lorenzo Colombo with his superior physique, but should have done better on the opposite side of the pitch after finding himself in promising positions to score.
Oliver Provstgaard – 7
The Danish defender is growing in confidence with every outing, slowly morphing into the role of the de facto defensive leader. Even his buildup is significantly improving.
Nuno Tavares – 7
A satisfying return to the starting lineup for the Portuguese international who provided the assist for Frattesi and almost scored the second for Lazio with a towering header, only to be denied by the post. He also did fairly well in the defensive phase.
Davide Frattesi – 7.5
The Inter Milan loanee was decisive once more, as he remains the only Lazio player to score this season. Although it wasn’t the purest of finishes, the 26-year-old showed his killer instinct by making a timely run to the box. He also deserved an assist to his name after setting up Tavares and Zaccagni, but neither was able to find the back of the net.
Nicolo Rovella – 6.5
The Italian international was enjoying a solid evening, bossing the middle of the park by spraying passes to his teammates and regaining possession on multiple occasions. Sadly, he left the pitch devastated after picking up an injury late in the first half.
Kenneth Taylor – 6
The Dutchman has yet to reach last season’s levels, but he’s slowly beginning to find his feet. He ran more than any other Lazio player and made important interventions at the back.
Matteo Cancellieri – 5.5
The unsettled Lazio winger worked tirelessly at both ends of the pitch, but he lacked the final touch as well as the clarity to make the best decision.
Boulaye Dia – 5
After another listless display, many Lazio fans would argue the Senegalese shouldn’t start again for the club. He failed to impose himself as a threat in the box, and even his passing was off.
Mattia Zaccagni – 6
The winger had a hand in several chances, and went to goal himself on a couple of occasions, but couldn’t hit the target. More is expected from the Lazio captain.
Lazio 1-0 Genoa: Frattesi Scores Again as Aquile Maintain Perfect Record
Substitutes
Reda Belahyane – 6.5
Many feared Lazio would regress after Rovella’s exit, but the Moroccan kept things neat and tidy in midfield. Picked up his teammates with clever passes and did well when shielding the backline.
Alfonso Pedraza – 5
The Spaniard has yet to fully get his head around his role in Gattuso’s system, as evidenced by the brief touchline exchange between the two men. Wasted possession cheaply.
Gustav Isaksen – 5.5
The Danish winger combined well with his teammates, but his cameo lacked a significant moment.
Andrea Pinamonti – 6
The debuting Lazio striker had little time to impress, especially with teammates flagging, but he showed what he can do inside the box as he turned and fired towards goal, hitting the side netting from the only half-chance that came his way
Manuel Lazzari – N/A
Dia played as what I would describe as a false nine. Which cost Lazio to barely ever have a player up front to lead the line. Where his link up play worked well against Bologna. Today it made Lazio basically striker less and making attacks beyond predictable, either long shots or trying to pass into the box.
Pinamonti’s way too late inclusion led to a chance. Had he started earlier, while Lazio still had Tavares on the pitch and were playing more on Genoa’s half. I think they could’ve won this bout way more decisively. With the Portugese and Zaccagni having actually someone they could try to reach.
I personally felt Zaccagni played well, he had 4 key passes was the most dangerous and played well with Tavares who also created chances. That being said, after receiving a yellow he once again in the 95th minute went after Amorim and kept arguing with the referee. Could’ve easily been a second yellow, terrible decision making while being 1-0 up.
Cancellieri being wasteful, while hopefully Rovella won’t be out again. With Dele-Bashiru and Cataldi also being injured.
Agreed. Rovella’s injury is concerning, and appears to be a muscular issue. If Reda can play how he did today, Lazio should perform well.
I’m concerned for him against Udine as they play very physical.
As frustrating as Cancellieri is, Lazio needs the depth. I sound like a broken record, but until the medical staff changes, the injuries will continue to multiply.
Pinamonti will start against Udine. Hopefully Lazio can replace Dia with Gudmundsson this week.
Pinamonte needs to start against Udinese. Signing players like Andrea that really can put a ball away and rotating them makes no sense ( not that it’s happening) but a strong starting 11 is needed.
Every game we shouldn’t be wondering who’s playing and where. Alfonso arguing with the gaffer isn’t the best start either.