Five takeaways as Lazio held 2-2 by Atalanta in Coppa Italia semi-final first leg | OneFootball

Lazio’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg with Atalanta finished 2-2, a late lead surrendered to an 89th-minute equaliser. Maurizio Sarri said, "Once again tonight we felt that if there were 45,000 in the stands, we could’ve maybe taken the win home", speaking to beIN SPORTS.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru dinked Lazio ahead in the 46th from Daniel Maldini’s pass, Mario Pasalic replied in the 51st after Ivan Provedel parried Lazar Samardzic’s drive, Boulaye Dia made it 2-1 in the 87th, then Yunus Musah levelled from Kamaldeen Sulemana’s cutback in the 89th.

After going back in front, Lazio instinctively dropped off. The team stretched, the forwards stopped offering an exit, and clearances came straight back.

Lazio’s interval adjustment had earlier raised the line and quickened the game. Maldini’s atypical striker movements gave Dele-Bashiru and Zaccagni lanes to attack, yet Atalanta’s rehearsed second-phase surges delivered both equalisers.

A sparse Olimpico, with around 5,000 tickets sold amid a protest against president Claudio Lotito, removed the usual shove to keep playing. The tie now moves to Bergamo, and Raffaele Palladino said, "The tie is open, it’s 50-50." For Lazio the controllables are simple, hold the line for five minutes after scoring, guard the rebound zone, and keep one outlet high.

Source: The Laziali