Avellino 0-1 Lazio: Matteo Guendouzi Settles the Friendly with Last-Gasp Penalty | OneFootball

At the Stadio Benito Stirpe in Frosinone, Lazio beat Avellino in their second pre-season friendly to claim the ‘Sandro Criscitiello’ memorial.

Lazio Starting Lineup

In the absence of Boulaye Dia, Gustav Isaksen, Patric and Samuel Gigot, the Biancocelesti started the contest with a 4-3-3 formation spearheaded by Taty Castellanos, while Mattia Zaccagni and Pedro took the wings. Maurizio Sarri relied on Nicolo Rovella in midfield, supported by Matias Vecino and Fisayo Dele Bashiru.

(Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

The manager also tested the defensive partnership of Mario Gila and Oliver Provestgaard once again, as these two will likely start on the opening day of the Serie A season, with Alessio Romagnoli serving a ban. Moreover, Elseid Hysaj and Nuno Tavares operated in the full-back spots, with Christos Mandas starting in goal.

Goalless First Half

Lazio weren’t fully convincing in the first period, but they did have a few chances to score, particularly from Zaccagni and Vecino, while Castellanos thought he had given his team the lead with a header, but his goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Lazio Make Wholesale Changes at the Break

After the interval, Sarri made eight straight changes, only keeping Vecino, Pedro and Castellanos. The trio were eventually taken off in the 62nd minute, making way for Reda Belahyane, Toma Basic and Tijjani Noslin.

Matteo Guendouzi Scores from the Spot

The Aquile threatened with Manuel Lazzari, Vecino and Basic, while Ivan Provedel had to pull a double save to deny Avellino. The contest remained goalless until the 90th minute, when Noslin was brought down in the penalty box, allowing Matteo Guendouzi to convert a late winner from the spot.

What’s Next for Lazio

Lazio will now head to Istanbul for their next two summer friendlies. They will take on Fenerbahce on July 30 and then Galatasaray on August 2.

Avellino 0-1 Lazio

Scorer: Guendouzi 92′ (L)

Avellino (4-3-1-2) : Iannarilli; Palumbo, Palmiero, Russo; Sounas (Besaggio); Favilli, Crespi. Subs: Daffara, Pane, Gyabuaa, D’Andrea, Kumy, Armellino, Lescano, Panico, Insigne. Coach : Biancolino.

Lazio in First Half (4-3-3): Mandas; Hysaj, Gila, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Vecino, Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Zaccagni, Castellanos, Pedro.

Lazio in Second Half (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Marusic, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Vecino (62′ Belahyane); Cancellieri, Castellanos (62′ Noslin), Pedro (62′ Basic).