Lazio-Genoa ♾️: 3-2 madness, VAR drama and 3 penalties, Cataldi saves 😱 | OneFootball

The match that opens the 23rd day of Serie A was simply crazy. After a first half devoid of emotions, Lazio-Genoa ignites at the 50th minute and, in less than half an hour, delivers a series of twists that set the final score at 3-2.

The Grifone comes close to a comeback, but right at the last moment, they are stopped by yet another handball of the match. Lazio takes risks but eventually resolves it: Genoa halts after five consecutive results, while Sarri can celebrate the victory.

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A lot of competitiveness, two handballs, two penalties, and a comeback: in the second half of Lazio-Genoa, everything that didn't happen in the first 45 minutes unfolds.

Pedro opens the scoring from the penalty spot, followed by Taylor, who doubles the score, marking his first goal in the biancoceleste jersey.

It seemed like the three points were secured, but then came the reaction from the Grifone. The handball by Gila sends Malinovskyi to the penalty spot: the Ukrainian doesn't miss, reopening the match. For the 2-2, it takes just 8 minutes: Vitinha scores from close range, giving his teammates a precious point... and no.

The final draw seemed almost certain, but the umpteenth penalty of the match condemns De Rossi's boys. Ostigard's handball in full recovery: this time from the penalty spot, Cataldi doesn't miss, setting the score at a definitive 3-2.

✅ OFFICIAL LINEUPS FOR LAZIO-GENOA: ZACCAGNI OUT

Zaccagni is out due to a muscle problem experienced during the final training session, affecting the oblique abdominal muscle. He will still be on the bench.

LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Pellegrini; Taylor, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro. Coach Sarri.

GENOA (3-4-3): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi, Frendrup, Ellertsson, Martin; Colombo, Vitinha. Coach De Rossi.

⚖️ FEW EMOTIONS AND BALANCE IN THE FIRST HALF

Few emotions in the first half of Lazio-Genoa. A lot of competitiveness in the midfield, but few real goal opportunities and no decisive interventions required from the goalkeepers - only one important save by Provedel on Vitinha in a dubious position -. Ball possession shows a substantial balance between the two teams, but Genoa appears more dangerous.

De Rossi's boys interpret the game better, showing greater quality in transitions and managing to pose a threat with two shots on target. Lazio, on the other hand, struggles to find clean solutions in the final thirty meters: the biancocelesti attempt six shots, but never manage to hit the opponent's goal.

💪 MARTIN'S HAND: PEDRO DOESN'T MISS FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

At 50’, the episode that changes the match occurs. An excellent Maldini-Isaksen combination, with the Dane reaching the byline and delivering a cross in the middle: the ball hits Martin's arm, which appeared quite wide.

The biancocelesti protests erupt and the referee is called to the VAR. The feeling is immediately clear: it could be a penalty.

After the review, Lazio's protests turn into shouts of joy, while the Grifone defender disagrees. The referee points to the penalty spot: from eleven meters, Pedro steps up, ice-cold, and sends Bijlow the wrong way, putting the biancocelesti ahead.

1️⃣ FIRST GOAL WITH LAZIO FOR TAYLOR

Just six minutes pass and Lazio finds the second goal at 62’. Once again, it's Isaksen who takes center stage.

The biancoceleste forward receives the ball in the area, waits for the right movement from his teammates, and serves Taylor. The new signing doesn't miss from the edge of the area and scores his first goal in Serie A, also his first with the Lazio jersey.

🔥 GILA'S FOUL, ANOTHER PENALTY! MALINOVSKYI REDUCES THE DEFICIT

Ten fiery minutes at the Olimpico. The match changes face and, after Lazio's one-two, comes Genoa's reaction with the second penalty of the match.

On Vitinha's long-range shot, the ball hits Gila's arm. The referee is called to the VAR for an on-field review and the decision seems inevitable.

From the penalty spot, Malinovskyi steps up, doesn't miss, and scores his second consecutive goal (fourth in the championship). Provedel guesses and touches the ball, but it's not enough: Genoa reduces the deficit to -1.

🤯 GENOA CATCHES UP WITH LAZIO: VITINHA MAKES IT 2-2

We said it: the momentum of the match had changed. And eight minutes after the temporary 2-1 goal comes Genoa's reaction. The Grifone does it again, just like in the comeback against Bologna in the previous matchday, and catches up with Lazio despite a two-goal deficit.

The play originates from Malinovskyi: his corner kick hits the post after Provedel's miraculous intervention and the ball lands at Vitinha's feet. The rossoblù striker can't miss the tap-in from close range. It's 2-2 at the Olimpico. Everything is back in balance at the 75th minute.

😱 CATALDI AGAIN FROM THE PENALTY SPOT: 3-2 IN FULL RECOVERY

Lazio-Genoa is simply an endless match! Ostigard's hand in full recovery sends Lazio to the penalty spot again at the 100th minute.

This time, the responsibility falls to Cataldi: the biancoceleste captain doesn't miss from eleven meters and gives Lazio three precious points and a home victory that had been missing since November.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

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