Tavares Shines Again as Lazio Shrug Genoa Aside | OneFootball

Fresh from their Europa League victory over FC Twente, Lazio returned to winning ways on the domestic scene by beating Genoa by three unanswered goals at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Tijjani Noslin was the surprise inclusion in the starting lineup as club captain Mattia Zaccagni was forced to drop out due to a bout with gastroenteritis. Nevertheless, the Dutchman emerged as the unexpected hero thanks to a sensational goal.

As always Nuno Tavares proved to be a thorn in the opposition’s back, harrying the Grifone with his vicious runs from the left flank. In the end, one of his ventures instigated the opener. The Portuguese left Fabio Miretti and others in the dust with his terrific pace. While his run was eventually intercepted, Noslin pounced on the situation, dribbling past two markers before finding the bottom corner with a fabulous shot.

Lazio Win Thanks to Another Tavares Masterclass

After the break, Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy almost produced a magical strike following a superb solo effort, but was denied by a solid save from Ivan Provedel. For their part, the Biancocelesti were relatively quiet in the second period, but still managed to score twice late in the match.

Taty Castellanos tried to find Pedro with a square ball at the mouth of the goal. And while Nicola Leali managed to parry the ball away, he ended up gifting the Spaniard an easy tap-in.  In the 94th minute, Lazio put the exclamation mark on a well-earned victory when Matias Vecino headed home from a sublime Tavares effort.

Hence, Lazio retained their fifth place in the standings on the back of a commanding display.

Lazio 3-0 Genoa

Goals: 21′ Noslin (L), 85′ Pedro (L), 90’+4′ Vecino (L)

LAZIO (4-2-3-1):  Provedel; Marusic, Patric, Gila (84′ Gigot), Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella (84′ Castrovilli); Isaksen (61′ Vecino), Dia (61′ Pedro), Noslin (77′ Tchaouna); Castellanos.

GENOA (4-4-1-1): Leali; Sabelli (46′ Norton-Cuffy), Vogliacco, Vasquez, Matturro; Zanoli (62′ Badelj), Frendrup, Miretti (62′ Ankeye, 70′ Melegoni), Martin; Thorsby (62′ Ekhator); Pinamonti.

Referee: Piccinini

Yellow cards: Sabelli (G), Noslin (L), Gila (L), Marusic (L).