Lazio 1-0 Juventus: Toma Basic Completes Redemption Story | OneFootball

Lazio earned their third victory of the season thanks to the revitalized Toma Basic, who scored the solitary strike against Juventus.

Lazio & Juventus Starting Lineups

Maurizio Sarri entered the contest without a host of key players, especially Taty Castellanos, Nuno Tavares, Nicolo Rovella and Matteo Cancellieri. The manager opted to start with a 4-3-3 formation spearheaded by Boulaye Dia, with Mattia Zaccagni and Gustav Isaksen on the wings. The midfield remained intact with Matteo Guendouzi, Danilo Cataldi and Basic starting.

On the other hand, Igor Tudor dropped Juve’s key stars Kenan Yildiz and Michele Di Gregorio, and launched a 4-4-2 formation, with Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David leading the charge. Francisco Conceicao and Weston McKennie operated on the wings, with Teun Koopmeiners and Manuel Locatelli in the double pivot.

Toma Basic Puts Lazio in the Lead

It only took Lazio nine minutes to break the deadlock, pouncing on a blunder from David, who headed the ball back towards the final third. Cataldi collected the loose ball before setting up Basic, who had just enough time and space to fire a shot from the edge of the box, and a slight deflection was enough to beat Mattia Perin.

Juventus Failed to Respond in First Half

After taking the lead, the Biancocelesti retreated to their own areas, though they occasionally threatened on the counter. On the other hand, Juventus were too slow and stagnant to create havoc, primarily relying on crosses from the flanks, but Mario Gila and Co. held firm.

The visitors’ most dangerous opportunity in the first half saw Andrea Cambiaso putting David through on goal, but Provedel came off his line swiftly to block the shot.

Juventus Launch Second-Half Onslaught

Tudor immediately brought in Kenan Yildiz after the break, and his introduction certainly rendered the Bianconeri more dangerous. The Turin-based giants laid siege towers for the bulk of the second period, but Vlahovic and David were unable to inflict any damage in the final third. In the meantime, Isaksen kept harrying his opponents on the counterattack, but just lacked the finishing touch.

Lazio Climb to 10th Place

In the end, the Aquile cling onto their slim lead to earn three invaluable points that put them 10th in the Serie A standings. The capital side will be keen to win back-to-back contests for the first time this season when they travel to Pisa in midweek.

Lazio 1-0 Juventus

Scorer: 9′ Basic (L)

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari (54′ Pellegrini), Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic (68′ Vecino); Isaksen (83′ Pedro), Dia (82′ Noslin), Zaccagni.

Juventus (3-5-2): Perin; Kalulu, Gatti (86′ Joao Mario), Kelly; Conceicao, McKennie (78′ Openda), Locatelli, Koopmeiners (66′ Thuram), Cambiaso (46′ Yildiz); David (66′ Kostic), Vlahovic.

Referee: Andrea Colombo (Como section) 

Yellow cards: 30′ Koopmeiners (J), 34′ Lazzari (L), 53′ Locatelli (J), 54′ McKennie (J), 64′ Kelly (J), 90′ Guendouzi (L).