Lazio Retain Top Europa League Spot With Spectacular Victory Over Ajax | OneFootball

Despite the embargo imposed on their traveling supporters, Lazio still managed to return from Amsterdam with three points and as many goals in the bag.

The Lazio Lineup

Marco Baroni adopted his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation spearheaded by Taty Castellanos with Loum Tchaouna, Boulaye Dia and Pedro as the supporting crew. Nicolo Rovella and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru operated in the double pivot, while Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Samuel Gigot and Luca Pellegrini started in front for Christos Mandas.

Loum Tchaouna Breaks Deadlock

The Biancocelesti took an early lead with a swift play kickstarted by Dia who outmuscled Kenneth Taylor off the ball. Rovella then picked up Pedro in the hole and the latter fed Tchaouna with a clever through ball. The young Frenchman’s shot was too central, but the power saw it go through the legs of the experienced Remko Pasveer.

Wasteful Brian Brobbey

The Lancers went close to finding an equalizer on several occasions in the first half, but Brian Brobbey sent a couple of headers off target from promising positions, so Lazio maintained their slim lead ahead of the interval.

Bertrand Traoré Equalizes for Ajax

Nevertheless, Ajax were quick to draw level after the break. Pellegrini produced a goal-line clearance while defending a freekick, but Bertrand Traoré was in the right place to smash a powerful shot to the top corner, while Mandas had a poor view.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru Restores Lazio Lead

But while the Dutch giants were looking to complete the turnaround, Lazio managed to restore their lead thanks to lovely play from Mattia Zaccagni who entered after the interval. The Biancocelesti captain sent a square ball to the mouth of the goal, but it somehow evaded the crowd to reach Dele-Bashiru who went for power. Pasveer made the save, but the goal had already crossed the line as confirmed by the referee’s device.

Pedro With the KO

Both sides had several chances in what an exciting contest as predicted by Baroni, but Pedro eventually sealed the win with a mesmerizing curler following a darting run from Nuno Tavares and a dashing backheel assist from Tchaouna. Therefore, Lazio won the contest by three goals to one to regain their top spot in the 36-team Europa League group stage table.

Ajax 1-3 Lazio

Goals: 11′ Tchaouna (L), 47′ Traorè (A), 51′ Dele-Bashiru (L), 77′ Pedro (L).

Ajax (4-3-3):  Pasveer; Rensch (78′ Gaaei), Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Berghuis (71′ Akpom), Henderson, Taylor (78′ Rasmussen); Traorè, Brobbey (71′ Weghorst), Godts (57′ Fitz-Jim).

Lazio (4-2-3-1):  Mandas; Lazzari (46′ Marusic), Gigot, Patric (71′ Gila), Pellegrini (69′ Nuno Tavares); Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Tchaouna, Dia (46′ Zaccagni), Pedro (87′ Guendouzi); Castellanos.

Referee: Kruzliak (SLO)

Ammonites: Hato (A), Brobbey (A), Rovella (L), Pellegrini (L), Gigot (L), Weghorst (A).