Lazio 0-1 Lecce: Lackluster Aquile Miss Out on Europe in Disastrous Season Finale | OneFootball

What started as a promising campaign for Lazio has unfolded into a major letdown after suffering a final-day defeat at the hands of 10-man Lecce.

Lazio Starting Lineup

The suspended Marco Baroni maintained his usual 4-2-3-1 formation which was spearheaded by Taty Castellanos as usual, with Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia and Mattia Zaccagni acting as his support crew. Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella started in the double pivot as usual, while Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares constituted the backline.

Lassana Coulibaly Gives Lecce the Lead

The first half witnessed very few chances on either side, as the tense atmosphere caused a flurry of rough challenges. Nevertheless, the visitors managed to snatch the lead at the end of the first half when Gila tried to push his way forward, only to be dispossessed by Lassana Coulibaly who played a give-and-go with Nikola Krstovic before beating the outrushing Christos Mandas.

Santiago Pierotti Sent Off

While Lecce managed to preserve their slim lead until the half-time whistle, they lost Santiago Perotti who received his second yellow when he stopped Tavares in his tracks with a shove from the back.

Lazio Can’t Beat Wladimiro Falcone

In the second period, the Biancocelesti raised siege tours around the Lecce penalty box, spending the majority of the half in the final 30 meters. And yet, Taty Castellanos and Co. could find a way past the majestic Wladimiro Falcone who pulled off one miraculous save after the other. The Lecce goalkeeper managed to deny Guendouzi and Pedro, among others.

Alessio Romagnoli Loses His Cool

At a time when Lazio were in dire need of some wisdom from their most experienced players, Alessio Romagnoli lost his head in the final minutes. The defender rushed towards the linesman to protest a call while elbowing an opponent in the back on his way, which earned him his marching orders, and denying the home side of their numerical advantage, which had done them little in any case.

Lazio Miss Out on Europe

In the end, Lazio failed to qualify for any European competition next season after being pipped to 6th place by Fiorentina who booked their spot in the Conference League for the fourth year running. Baroni’s men thus left the pitch for the last time this season amid a sea of whistles and jeers.

Lazio 0-1 Lecce 0-1

Goal: 43′ Coulibaly

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Mandas; Marusic (46′ Hysaj), Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares (74′ Pellegrini); Guendouzi, Rovella (76′ Vecino); Isaksen (46′ Pedro), Dia, Zaccagni (from 76′ Noslin); Castellanos.

Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly (74′ Danilo Veiga), Ramadani; Pierotti, Berisha (60′ Helgason), Karlsson (60′ Kaba); Krstovic (88′ Burnete).  All . Giampaolo.

Referee: Fabbri

Yellow cards: 33′ Guendouzi, 37′ Pierotti, 69′ Falcone, 95′ Gila.

Red Cards: 45’+3 Pierotti, 94′ Romagnoli.