Serie A

Football Italia

·12 April 2024

Serie A | Lazio 4-1 Salernitana: Aquile respond to protests

Felipe Anderson bagged a brace with Matias Vecino and Gustav Isaksen on target, as Lazio swept Salernitana aside, but had to deal with fan protests.

There was a tense atmosphere with players jeered during the warm-up and a banner reading: ‘You are not worthy to wear OUR shirt.’ It was prompted by back-to-back defeats to Juventus in the Coppa Italia and rivals Roma in Serie A. Ciro Immobile, Mattia Zaccagni, Ivan Provedel, Matteo Guendouzi, Alessio Romagnoli and Luca Pellegrini were injured, while rock bottom Salernitana missed Grigoris Kastanos and Toma Basic.

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Adam Marusic and Taty Castellanos saw early attempts deflected off target, but Felipe Anderson opened the scoring when he robbed Antonio Candreva, cut inside and bent a left-foot finish into the far bottom corner from 12 yards.

The drop of a shoulder, cool finish 😮‍💨 Felipe Anderson made that look too easy 👏 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/5LA96dmryQ — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2024

Castellanos thought it was 2-0 moments later when he sprung the offside trap on the Luis Alberto pass, but tried to dink it over the goalkeeper from a tricky angle rather than return the assist.

The second goal was rather chaotic, as on the corner a Castellanos header struck Norbert Gyomber on the arm. Before the referee had a chance to blow the whistle and point to the penalty spot, Matias Vecino had turned in the loose ball and it was decided to simply play the advantage.

Salernitana got back into it immediately, Giulio Maggiore standing up a cross for Loum Tchaouna’s free header between two central defenders.

THREE goals in 16 mins 🤯 Salernitana pull one back with a wonderful move, finished off by Loum Tchaouna 💥 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2024

Benoit Costil got away with rushing out into midfield to clear, while Christos Mandas spilled a seemingly simple Domagoj Bradaric effort.

Costil allowed a low Adam Marusic cross from the right to squirm through his arms, though Castellanos was unable to take advantage.

Felipe Anderson added his second with a delicate finish over Costil from six yards after Castellanos and Luis Alberto exchanged passes. Home fans continued their protest, jeering at the goalscorers and singing club songs instead, including repeated versions of Lucio Battisti hit I Giardini di Marzo.

That's a brace for Felipe Anderson ✌️ Lazio extend their lead with some brilliant play ✨ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/LolfxaYWu2 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2024

Luis Alberto’s free kick went over and Patric also fired off target, while it could’ve been a Felipe Anderson hat-trick straight after the restart, only for a heavy first touch to let him down.

Costil kept the scoreline down with a sensational one-handed save after Luis Alberto completed a double give and go with Patric and then Felipe Anderson.

Castellanos and Lorenzo Pirola were both in need of patching up after a clash of heads, while Nicolò Rovella made his comeback from injury as a late substitute.

Gustav Isaksen was one of the few players applauded by the crowd when coming off the bench and he thanked them with a goal, as Rovella won it back in the final third with a sliding tackle and his teammate buried the angled drive into the far bottom corner with his ‘weaker’ right foot.

Lazio seal it off in style 🪄 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/vwPgF8jHhe — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2024

Isaksen should’ve had another in stoppages, but turned the lob completely off target with Costil all at sea. At the final whistle of this 4-1 win, there were still loud jeers and insults.