Lazio 6-3 Avellino: Nesta’s Men Overwhelmed in Saturday Morning’s Friendly | OneFootball

At the Formello training centre, Lazio won their third friendly test of the summer, overcoming Alessandro Nesta’s Avellino in a nine-goal festival.

Lazio Starting Lineup

Gennaro Gattuso opted for his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, spearheaded by Petar Ratkov. The Serbian bomber was supported by Boulaye Dia, with Matteo Cancellieri and Federico Serra on the wings. In midfield, Reda Belahyane combined with the young Adrian Przyborek.

The biggest surprise in the starting lineup was Alessio Romagnoli’s return following his reinstatment into the squad. The experienced defender linked up with Adam Marusic, who once again played as a makeshift centre-back, while Romano Floriani Mussolini and Alfonso Pedraza completed the backline in front of Christos Mandas.

Avellino Take Swift Lead

Against all expectations, the visitors took an early lead thanks to Luca Di Maggio. It all stemmed from Pryzborek getting dispossessed in the middle of the park. Avellino launched a swift attack led by Andrea Favalli, culminating with a dink across the face of the goal and an easy finish from the former Inter Milan youngster.

Lazio Respond With Three Goals

Avellino’s lead was short-lived, with Lazio restoring parity three minutes later. Floriani tried to play a square ball across the face of the goal. While his attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper, Serra was able to pounce on the rebound, comfortably heading the ball home into the empty net.

In the 22nd minute, the Biancocelesti took the lead thanks to a lovely team play. Przyborek atoned for his early mistake by picking up Floriani’s run down the right flank with a glorious vertical ball. This time, the right-back’s delivery was on cue, finding Ratkov in front of goal, and the striker made no mistake from close range.

The Serbian centre-forward completed his brace before the end of the first half. Pedraza and Serra combined well on the left flank, with the young winger driving the ball to the box, where Ratkov was waiting to direct it home.

Lazio Add More Goals After the Break

After the interval, Gattuso’s men picked up where they left off, scoring a fourth goal right after the restart. Avellino goalkeeper Antony Iannarilli was the culprit this time, as his poor pass was intercepted by Belahyane, who was pressing high alongside his teammates. The young Moroccan then finished the play himself.

In the 52nd minute, Gabriele Artistico joined the carnival shortly following his introduction. The Italian, who replaced Dia, was brought down inside the box, earning a spot-kick which he converted himself, sending the goalkeeper the other way.

Avellino Score Twice After the Cooling Break

Both managers made changes after the cooling break, which shifted the momentum in favor of the Serie B boys, who scored back-to-back goals. Martin Palumbo played an instrumental role in his team’s revival, causing danger on the left flank.

Michele Besaggio and Luca Pandolfi both netted from close range, taking advantage of the confusion in Lazio’s backline following the introduction of Danilho Doekhi and Oliver Provstgaard. That being said, Edoardo Motta could have done better on both occasions.

Kenneth Taylor Ends Goal Carnival

After conceding two goals, Lazio retook the initiative, lauching an onslaught on Avellino’s goal, but they had to wait until added time to find their sixth goal, with Kenneth Taylor displaying his clinical finish, finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Lazio 6-3 Avellino

Goals: 12′ Di Maggio (A), 15′ Serra (L), 22′ – 36′ Ratkov (L), 46′ Belahyane (L) 53′ Artistico (L), 67′ Besaggio (A), 75′ Pandolfi (A), 91′ Taylor (L)

LAZIO (4-2-3-1): Mandas; Floriani Mussolini, Marusic, Romagnoli, Pedraza; Przyborek, Belahyane; Cancellieri, Dia, Serra; Ratkov. 

AVELLINO (4-3-2-1): Iannarilli; Vignoli, Simic, Fontanarosa, Moruzzi; Sounas, Di Maggio, Palmiero; Spadoni, Biasci, Favilli.