Lazio 2-2 Atalanta: Aquile Squander the Lead Twice in Coppa Italia Thriller | OneFootball

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome hosted the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between Lazio and Atalanta, but neither side was able to take the advantage heading to the decisive second leg in Bergamo.

Lazio & Atalanta Starting Lineups

Maurizio Sarri was able to rely on Daniel Maldini once more. The returning attacker led the 4-3-3 formation, flanked by Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Danilo Cataldi, and Kenneth Taylor started in the middle of the park. Mario Gila also made his return from injury, joining Adam Marusic, Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares in the backline.

On the other hand, Raffaele Palladino unleashed a 3-4-2-1 formation spearheaded by Nikola Krstovic, who was supported by Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski. Atalanta captain Marten de Roon connected with Mario Pasalic in the double pivot, while David Zappacosta and Lorenzo Bernasconi occupied the wing-back slots.

Atalanta More Dangerous Than Lazio in the First Half

The visitors began the game on the front foot, taking control of the ball. Atalanta thought they took the lead inside the first 10 minutes when Zappacosta’s cross was headed home by Krstovic. Nevertheless, the VAR came to Lazio’s rescue, as it turned out that the Italian wing-back had strayed offside.

The Orobici threatened again through a free-kick from Samardzic, but Pasalic’s header whistled past the post. Lazio’s first chances of the match came in the 25th minute. Dele-Bashiru drove the ball forward before passing it to Zaccagni. The captain sent a square ball to the goalmouth, but Isak Hien beat Maldini to the ball after a suicidal dive.

Mattia Zaccagni (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Atalanta came extremely close to breaking the deadlock before the half-time whistle. Bernasconi’s cross went above a sea of players before finding Zappacosta, who took his volley exceptionally well. However, the ball bounced off the pitch before hitting the woodwork.

Lazio Take The Lead After the Break

It only took the Aquile a couple of minutes before seizing the lead after the interval. Dele-Bashiru found himself in front of Marco Carnesecchi following a lovely give-and-go with Maldini, and he managed to beat the goalkeeper with a perfect chip.

Mario Pasalic Restores Parity

Lazio’s lead was short-lived as Atalanta found a swift equalizer. Samardzic’s shot from the edge of the post was parried away by Ivan Provedel, but Pasalic was in the right place at the right time to pounce on the rebound with a clinical finish.

Yunus Musah Responds to Boulaye Dia

While the big chances in the second half were limited, the Biancocelesti had a slight upper hand, and their pressure finally paid off in the 87th minute. Tavares sent a cross towards the box, and Pasalic brought it down with his chest. However, the Croatian inadvertently set up the perfect chance for Boulaye Dia, who sneaked from behind, stole the ball, and broke a six-month goal drought with a cool finish.

But once again, Lazio failed to preserve their lead for more than a few minutes, as two Atalanta substitutes combined to score the second equalizer of the game. Kamaldeen Sulemana cut it back to Yunus Musah, who sent a low drive through the crowd, and the deflection left Provedel with no chance.

The two sides will thus head to the decisive second leg in Bergamo on par. We will find out who will prevail in this thrilling Coppa Italia semi-final tie on April 23.

Lazio 2-2 Atalanta

Goals: 46′ Dele-Bashiru, 51′ Pasalic, 87′ Dia, 89′ Musah

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor (82′ Belahyane); Isaksen (64′ Cancellieri), Maldini (76′ Dia), Zaccagni (76′ Noslin).

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini (64′ Kossounou), Hien, Kolasinac (75′ Ahanor); Zappacosta, De Roon (64′ Musah), Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic (75′ Sulemana), Zalewski; Krstovic (86′ Scamacca).

Referee: Gianluca Manganiello (Pinerolo section); Linesmen: Bindoni – Tegoni; Fourth official: Sacchi; VAR: Gariglio; AVAR: Guida

Yellow Cards: 24′ De Roon (A), 65′ Sarri (L), 65′ Palladino (A), Pasalic (A), 90’+5′ Hien (A)