Lazio Fight Back Against Fiery Bologna in Physical 2-1 Win | OneFootball

Lazio overcame a tough task against a physical Bologna this evening as they turned a 1-0 disadvantage into a 2-1 win.

Maurizio Sarri’s side looked fired up heading into the match, keen to show their supporters the fruits of their labour in the pre-season preparations. New signings Luis Maximiano and Alessio Romagnoli both made their first starts for the club.

Lazio came out the gate on the front foot as Toma Basic had an exciting early chance from outside the box after barely a minute, with his low-drilled shot going inches wide of the post.

More Stories / News

Pedro Set to Miss Lazio Season Opener vs Bologna

11 Aug 2022, 8:30

Referee Massimi Assigned for Lazio Season Opener vs Bologna

10 Aug 2022, 10:30

Gila Starting to Impress Sarri Playing Alongside Romagnoli

31 Jul 2022, 11:30

Sarri decided to start Maximiano over Ivan Provedel and that decision instantly came to haunt the Italian coach; the 23-year-old Portuguese shot stopper made a calamitous error, scrambling for and scooping up the ball just outside the edge of his penalty area.

After a quick VAR check, referee Luca Massimi showed Maximiano a red card, sending off the new signing only six minutes into his competitive debut. Sarri was forced to take off Basic in order to bring on Provedel, ending the Croatian’s evening disappointingly early, through no fault of his own.

Lazio tried to fight back despite their disadvantage, with Adam Marusic, Ciro Immobile and Romagnoli all sharing some chances.

Things went from bad to worse in the 35th minute, however, after Mattia Zaccagni fouled Nicola Sansone in the penalty area. Massimi instantly pointed to the spot, putting Provedel under immediate pressure and Marko Arnautovic stepped up and made no mistake, giving Bologna 1-0 lead.

Things fell in the Biancocelesti’s favour for the first time just before the half time break; defender Adama Suomaoro committed a rash challenge and earnt himself his second yellow-card, reducing Bologna’s man advantage.

Lazio came out swinging in the second half, with Sarri’s talk clearly firing up the squad after their poor display in the first 45 minutes. The introduction of Luis Alberto in the 65th minute clearly changed the tide of the match, as only three minutes later Lorenzo De Silvestri accidentally put the ball into the back of his own net following a scramble in the six-yard area.

In the 79th minute, Sarri’s side finally put together a piece of magic thanks to their dynamic trio of Immobile, Luis Alberto and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Pushing Bologna in their defensive third, the Spaniard fought back possession and laid the ball off to the Serbian, whose cutting pass met a dashing Immobile, who struck his team into the lead for the first time in the match.

Both sides kept the level high in the remaining 10 minutes, but ultimately neither side found the back of the net again as Lazio ran away 2-1 winners.