Lazio 0-0 Cremonese: Depleted Aquile Drop Two Valuable Points in Cagey Affair | OneFootball

Lazio and Cremonese played out a goalless draw that failed to entertain or satisfy the home crowd at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio Starting Lineup

Due to various reasons, Maurizio Sarri was without eight Biancocelesti players, but at least he was able to rely on Mario Gila once more following his one-match ban. The Spaniard started at the back alongside Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic and Luca Pellegrini.

Matias Vecino filled in for the suspended Toma Basic in midfield, slotting alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Danilo Cataldi. The depleted attack was led by Taty Castellanos, with Pedro and Matteo Cancellieri on the wings.

Miserable First Half of Football

The first 45 minutes didn’t bear any joy for either set of supporters, and certainly not for the neutrals, as neither side was able to forge a genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Neither Ivan Provedel nor Emil Audero were tested in the first half.

Federico Bonazzali was able to pounce on two poor passes from Geundouzi and Marusic, but wasted both chances with hasty long-range shots. At the other end of the pitch, Marusic forged a counter-attack down the right flank through brute force, but Cancellieri lost his footing while trying to deliver a cross, thus dooming Lazio’s solitary ‘chance’ in the first period.

Promising Start to the Second Half

The Second Half started on a more positive note, with the home side picking up the tempo. Castellanos had a golden opportunity to score from the corner, but headed the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Cremonese responded with an even more dangerous chance, with Bonazzoli picking up Jamie Vardy with a sublime cross, but the Leicester legend’s free header went wide.

Lazio Denied a spot-Kick

Last weekend’s hero, Tijjani Noslin, almost won a spot-kick following his introduction, but the VAR decided to acquit Filippo Terracciano of any wrongdoing following a swift check. Afterwards, Lazio weren’t able to create too many chances, although Marusic tested Audero with a powerful low drive.

10-Man Cremonese Survive Cataldi Scare

The final minute of added time witnessed some drama, as Guendouzi’s inspiring run found Cancellieri at the edge of the box. But while the latter was preparing to shoot, he was brought down by Federico Ceccherini, who earned himself a straight red card. Cataldi almost found the winner from the ensuing free-kick, but his attempt went just over the bar.

In the end, the Biancocelesti had to settle for a disappointing draw at home that will likely widen the gap between them and the European zone.

Lazio 0-0 Cremonese

Lazio (4-3-3) : Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (Lazzari, 82′); Guendouzi, Cataldi, Vecino (Belahyane, 63′); Cancellieri, Castellanos, Pedro (Noslin, 63′). 

CREMONESE (3-5-2) : Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Folino (69′ Ceccherini); Barbieri (87′ Floriani), Bondo, Grassi (69′ Vandeputte), Johnsen (76′ Zerbin), Pezzella; Bonazzoli (76′ Sanabria), Vardy.

Referee: Luca Pairetto; Assistants: Laudato – Regattieri; 4th official: Bonacina; VAR: Camplone; AVAR: Manganiello

Yellow cards: 38′ Pedro (L), 43′ Grassi (C), 77′ Romagnoli (L), 80′ Guendouzi (L), 81′ Pezzella (C), 92′ Gila (L)

Red Card: 94′ Ceccherini (C)