Galatasaray 2-2 Lazio: Lucas Torreira Shines in Entertaining Friendly | OneFootball

Following their defeat to Fenerbahce three days earlier, Lazio produced a more convincing showing in their second friendly in Istanbul, registering a 2-2 draw against Galatasaray.

Lazio Starting Lineup

Maurizio Sarri maintained his 4-3-3 formation, but this time started with Christos Mandas in goal. Adam Marusic played as a central defender alongside Alessio Romagnoli, while Elseid Hysaj and Nuno Tavares took the full-back slots.

Nicolo Rovella operated between Matteo Guendouzi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in midfield, while Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni flanked Taty Castellanos in attack.

Galatasaray Break the Deadlock

The home side took an early lead when Gabriel Sara’s free-kick found the unmarked Lucas Torreira at the back post. Despite his small stature, the longtime Lazio transfer target easily headed the ball home.

Davinson Sanchez Scores Own-Goal

Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti replied also from a set-piece situation, assisted by a stroke of luck. Rovella’s corner kick was headed by Cancellieri, but the ball hit Davinson Sanchez on its way, and the deflection was enough to beat the goalkeeper.

In the final minutes of the first half, Lazio harried the hosts on the counterattacks. Dele-Bashiru played a give-and-go with Tavares, but couldn’t beat Günay Güvenç in his goal.

Mattia Zaccagni Completes Lazio Comeback

Nevertheless, the next attempt paid dividends, as Castellanos released Cancellieri on the right wing, and the latter set up Zaccagni who struck it with venom. The goalkeeper put a hand to it, but the power took it past him, as Lazio headed to the break with a 2-1 lead.

Pedro Almost Scored Lazio’s Third

After the interval, Sarri gradually changed his entire lineup. Although Galatasaray saw more of the ball, the Aquile continued to threaten on the counter. In the 66th minute, Ivan Provedel’s long ball reached Pedro who eluded his marker, and then skipped past the goalkeeper with a clever first touch, but just couldn’t put the ball in the empty net, as a heavy second touch let him down.

Lucas Torreira Completes Brace

Afterwards, Galatasaray equalized the score with another fabulous effort from Torreira. It all began with Yunus Akgün beating Luca Pellegrini on the right wing, before playing a back-pass to Sara, who once again set up the Uruguayan with a simple touch. Torreira’s perfect curler from the edge of the box left Provedel stranded as it sailed into the corner.

Lazio Register a Draw Against Galatasaray

The final 15 minutes of the contest witnessed dangerous chances and penalty appeals at both ends of the field. Provedel did well to stop Metehan Baltaci’s close-range effort, while Pedro’s brilliant curler drifted just wide.

What’s Next for Lazio

In the end, Lazio wrapped their Turkish tour on a relatively positive note. Sarri’s men will return to Rome to resume their training camp at Formello, before heading to England next weekend for a friendly against Burnley on Saturday, August 9.

Galatasaray 2-2 Lazio

Goalscorers: 10′ & 74′ Torreira (G), 33′ Sanchez (G) (OG), 46′ Zaccagni (L)

Galatasaray (3-5-2) : Günay Güvenç; Bardakci (63′ Köhn), Kaan Ayhan (63′ Yilmaz), Sánchez (84′ Nelsson); Jacobs (75′ Ünyay), Lemina (63′ Kutucu), Torreira, Sara (84′ Baltaci), Elmali (46′ Akgün); Sané (63′ Jelert), Sallai (84′ Karatas).

Lazio (4-3-3) : Mandas (59′ Provedel); Hysaj (46′ Gila), Marusic (59′ Lazzari), Romagnoli (66′ Provstgaard), Tavares (46′ Pellegrini); Guendouzi (66′ Belahyane), Rovella (46′ Cataldi), Dele-Bashiru (46′ Vecino); Cancellieri (75′ Noslin), Castellanos (46′ Dia), Zaccagni (59′ Pedro).

Referee: Mehmet Turkmen;  Assistants: Samet Ozkul – Senol Bektas;  Fourth official: Cagdas Altay

Yellow cards: 88′ Vecino (L)