Roma – The great beauty of Nico Paz’s Como, the nervousness and impotence of Lazio. Fabregas’ team scores after a minute and a half with Baturina (shot deflected by Romagnoli) and then dominates at the Olimpico (3-0) with the new formula invented by the magician Fabregas: in front of the two playmakers Da Cunha and Perrone, the four offensive players exchange positions in a whirlwind that stuns Lazio. The 4-2-4 sees the midfielder Caqueret as a false 9, the Lazio defense has no references, it is a recital by Guardiola’s pupil: the concepts are the same, including the third line at the height of the midfield and the immediate recovery of the ball. Unlike the match against Milan, this time goals are added to ball possession: so Como strolls to the Olimpico and chases Juventus in the standings, they are just a stone’s throw away from the Bianconeri.
«The match report»
Only Provedel tries to oppose Como
In the 25th minute Nico Paz doubled the lead, taking advantage of a short clearance from the Biancoceleste defence: usually the rearguard is Lazio’s strong point, but in this case it is passive like the rest of the team. The new Taylor and Ratkov, the pivot chosen surprisingly in place of Noslin, have no impact. Indeed, the Dutch midfielder commits the foul which – after a long check in the VAR room – convinces referee Fabbri to award the penalty for a possible 3-0. But Paz made a mistake from the spot: Provedel did well to block the shot to his left, for him it was the first penalty saved in the Biancoceleste. At the end of the first half, Lazio had the opportunity to reopen the match, but following a cross from Cancellieri, first Cataldi and then Zaccagni wasted the scoring opportunity.
Nico Paz’s masterpiece
At the beginning of the second half, however, Paz’s eighth goal of the league arrived, with 6 assists: a perfect left-footed shot from the edge of the area, which this time was impossible for Provedel to reach. Only Lautaro Martinez has scored more than him, which is serious for Serie A to lose a gem like this next season: it is normal, however, for Real Madrid to bring him back home. The main difference between the two teams is in the midfield: that of Lazio is improvised, with the new signing Taylor and Belahyane, replacement of the injured Vecino and Basic, destined to leave (probable return to Verona) already this week; on the other hand, Fabregas’ quality players dominate, they are many and all good with the ball and equipped with a special vision of the game, from Perrone to Da Cunha, from Caqueret to Nico Paz.
Lazio protest to the referee class
As always, then, Lazio plays two matches: one against the opposing team and the other against the referees, who were also contested with a banner by the Biancoceleste Curva Nord before the match. The nervousness due to the famous episodes of the previous matches affects the players, the referee Fabbri does not help to calm the atmosphere with excessive warnings on Zaccagni and Romagnoli already in the first half; then yellow also for Cataldi for protests. Little football and a lot of anger for Sarri’s men. Who had already been controversial with the club before the match: “Nothing new under the Lazio sky. Listen to an interview from two and a half years ago in Auronzo, they are the same words.” The reference is to the identical differences on the market: the coach asks for players, Lotito – contested before, during and after the match by Lazio fans – buys others. At this point, divorce is likely at the end of the season. In the stands, former Biancoceleste president Cragnotti: he was curious to see Como, he too was enchanted by Fabregas’ team. Sarri’s, devastated by the precariousness resulting from the transfer market and injuries, was lost: it is the most serious defeat of the season, it is no coincidence that it came during the winter transfer session, in fact.
Lazio (4-3-3) Provedel 6.5 — Marusic 4.5, Gila 5, Romagnoli 4.5, Pellegrini 5 (19′ st Lazzari 6) — Belahyane 5, Cataldi 5 (8′ st Rovella 6), Taylor 5 (40′ st Dele-Bashiru sv) — Cancellieri 4.5 (8′ st Isaksen 5), Ratkov 5 (8′ st Noslin 6), Zaccagni 5. Coach Sarri 5.
Like (4-2-4) Butterez 6.5. Voice 6). Other. Fabregas 7.5.
Referee: Blacksmiths 5.
Rarely: 2′ pt baturina, 24′ pt e 4′ St n N. Paz
Notes: ammonites Zaccagni, Smolcic, Romagnoli, Cataldi, Pellegrini, Posch, Valle
Worth a look
