Europa League, Lazio-Porto 2-2: Sarri’s team eliminated

Two good performances, one big regret. Lazio exited the Europa League by drawing 2-2 in the return match with Porto after losing the first leg 2-1. As happened last week, the biancocelesti took the lead (at 19 ‘with Immobile), only to be reached before the interval (Taremi’s penalty at 31’) and overturned in the second half (Uribe at 68 ‘). Cataldi’s 2-2 goal in the 94th minute was useless. Sarri’s team regrets that they did not use the round-trip phases of the game in their favor: at the Olimpico two goals were canceled at Immobile in the best moment of Lazio.

the race

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Compared to the first leg, Sarri confirms 10 players out of 11: he renounces the disqualified Zaccagni but finds the Immobile again. Conceicao responds by dusting off Taremi from the first minute (14 goals of the season) and inserting Vitinha in midfield. As in the first leg, Porto starts trying to get possession of the ball, but Lazio creates the opportunities, always with Immobile taking advantage of the depth left by the opposing defenders: first Diogo Costa is good at closing the door on Lazio number 17 which then, however, between 18 ‘and 22’, scores three times. The first and third are canceled, but the second is regular and allows Lazio to take the lead. Lazio dominate, with Felipe Anderson, ex of the day, who on the wing is a perennial thorn in the side of the Portuguese defense. At 31 ‘, Porto’s draw arrives suddenly: Milinkovic is not very attentive and, in the area, collides with Taremi. For the referee Aytekin it is simulation but, after intervention by the Var, he concedes the penalty that Taremi himself transforms. The pace slows down and Lazio struggles to create new opportunities.

the recovery

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The second half opened with a great chance from Pepé, who headed, on a cross from Martinez, touched the post to the right of Strakosha. Lazio respond with Felipe who launches Milinkovic, good at leaning on Luis Alberto who, from an excellent position, kicks out. Porto try to close it with Otavio and Vitinha who, in a few seconds, put Strakosha in difficulty, but good at always being ready, Lazio have another chance at 60 ‘, when Patric, on a corner, does not frame the goal. As the minutes passed, Lazio struggled to get out of their trocar, losing the ball too superficially: in the 67th minute it was Immobile who gave the ball to the opponents, allowing Galen to kick from the edge and put Strakosha in difficulty. A few seconds later the 2-1 arrives: Taremi sees the insertion of Uribe who is good at checking from the chest and scoring from the left. Porto also close to 3-1 with Taremi, who fails to frame the goal with his right. Lazio struggled to react, they only met again in the 80th minute when, served by Raul Moro, Luis Alberto hit the outside of the net giving the illusion of a goal. Two minutes later the Spaniard tries again but hits the post. At 86 ‘Diogo Costa smanaccia, the ball arrives at Immobile who kicks the ball in the face of the opposing goalkeeper. Porto manages the final minutes badly, also suffering a 2-2 from Cataldi (he reaffirms on the net after Immobile’s post). Lazio reacted late to the Portuguese goals, and did not use the game phases in their favor. And at the end of the two performances there remains a great regret.