Genoa 0-2 Lazio: Castellanos & Dia Resurrect Aquile’s Champions League Hopes | OneFootball

Lazio took full advantage of their numerical advantage to claim three vital points at the expense of Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris. This contest was originally scheduled on Monday, but was delayed two days due to Pope Francis’ passing.

Lazio Starting Lineup

Marco Baroni maintained his tried-and-tested 4-3-2-1 formation, with Adam Marusic deployed in an unusual role on the right wing, as Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia reunited upfront. Mattia Zaccagni took his place on the left wing, while Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella linked up in the middle of the park. Manuel Lazzari, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli and Luca Pellegrini started at the back.

Chaotic Start

Christos Mandas had to pull off a couple of early saves to preserve the deadlock, but then the match was temporarily suspended due to extensive fireworks from the Genoa Ultras in the Curva Nord.

Lazio Gain Numerical Advantage

When the action resumed, Castellanos freed Zaccagni with a clever through ball, forcing the young Sebastian Otoa to commit a big blunder on his Genoa debut. The 20-year-old Dane pushed the Lazio captain from behind while being the last defender, so the referee had no other choice but to pull out the red card.

Taty Castellanos Scores Sensational Opener

With one extra man on the pitch, it didn’t take the Biancocelesti too long to capitalize on their significant advantage. Luca Pellegrini was released on the left flank, and managed to pick up Castellanos with a sublime cross, and the Argentine striker made the most out it, opening the scoring with a fabulous scissor kick.

Boulaye Doubles Lazio Lead

Lazio were then able to dominate the proceedings, and eventually gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the middle of the second half thanks to a brilliant through ball from Rovella that found Dia. The Senegalese star set up the shot with a clever turn before finding the far corner with a clinical attempt.

Reda Belahyane Sees Red

At that stage, the Grifone fans must have feared a heavy defeat, but Reda Belahyane deprived Lazio of their numerical advantage as he got himself sent off only two minutes following his introduction. The young midfielder went lunging into Morten Thorsby’s shin, so the match official gave him his marching orders after being summoned for an on-field check by the VAR.

Lazio Closing in on UCL Zone

Nevertheless, the damage had already been done for Genoa, and despite a few attempts on goal, Lazio managed to smoothly sail towards the final whistle to claim a vital victory that restored their Champions League hopes, especially with Juventus losing in Parma. The Biancocelesti remain sixth in the table, but they’re only one point adrift from the Top Four.

Genoa 0-2 Lazio 0-2

Goals : 32′ Castellanos (L), 65′ Dia (L)

Genoa (4-2-3-1):  Loyal; Otoa, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin (68′ Ahanor); Frendrup, Masini (80′ Sabelli); Norton-Cuffy (80′ Ekhator), Vitinha (61′ Venturino), Thorsby; Pinamonti (68′ Messias).

Lazio (4-2-3-1):  Mandas; Lazzari (45′ Pedro), Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Rovella (69′ Belahyane); Marusic, Dia (69′ Vecino), Zaccagni (89′ Hysaj); Castellanos (89′ Noslin).

Referee: Ayroldi

Yellow cards: 45’+3 Rovella (L), 50′ Pinamonti (G),

Sent off : Otoa 22′ (G), Belahyane 69′ (L)