Lazio, pyrotechnic win in the 100th minute but in a deserted Stadio Olimpico

Great excitement in the advance that opened the 23rd day of Serie A, with Lazio able to overcome Genoa 3-2. Sarri immediately fielded new signing Daniel Maldini from the first minute, but had to do without Zaccagni, who stopped in the last few hours, as well as Romagnoli, who is increasingly at the center of market rumors. After a first half stingy with goal-scoring chances and closed at 0-0, everything happened in the second half, until the resounding epilogue at minute number one hundred.

Andrea Gussoni

In the 55th minute the Var called Zufferli back to the monitor for a hand touch by Martin in the box, on Isaksen’s cross also deflected by Ostigard’s calf: after a lengthy review came the penalty, which Pedro converted for 1-0. The Biancocelesti instigated and in the 62nd minute also doubled: Isaksen taking advantage of a serious mistake by Martin served Taylor, who signed his first Serie A goal. Genoa, however, did not give up and shortly afterwards got back into the game thanks to another Var episode: Gila’s hand on Malinovskyi’s shot earned the visitors a penalty, with the Ukrainian shortening the distance from the penalty spot, despite Provedel’s touch.

The Grifone gained confidence and found the equalizer in the 75th minute: Provedel saved on Malinovskyi’s attempt, but could do nothing on Vitinha’s winning rebound for the 2-2. Just when the match seemed to be heading toward a draw, yet another twist came: in the 97th minute the Var called Zufferli again, who pointed to the penalty spot for the third time for a hand foul, this time by Ostigard on Ratkov’s framing. From the eleven meters Cataldi was glacial and in the 100th minute gave Lazio the final 3-2.

One notable detail, however, was that only a few thousand spectators attended this entertaining match. The fans of the Curva Nord had in fact promised not to enter the Olimpico in protest against the club, and so it was. Thus the game was played in a surreal, almost closed-door atmosphere, but that did not prevent the hosts from bringing home the three points.