The Laziali
·22 December 2024
The Laziali
·22 December 2024
Lazio striker Taty Castellanos explains how penalty-kick duties are decided between him and his captain Mattia Zaccagni.
The 26-year-old played a decisive role in his team’s 2-1 victory over Lecce on Saturday night. After all, it was his shot that prompted Frederic Guillbert’s dismissal as the latter made a goal-line clearance with his hand. Nevertheless, the Frenchman’s reaction proved counterproductive, as the Lazio bomber made no mistake from 12 yards, while the Giallorossi played with 10 men for an entire half.
Although Lecce pulled off an equalizer through Tete Morente after the break, the Biancocelesti eventually pounced on their numerical advantage, with Adam Marusic scoring a late winner after coming off the bench.
After the contest, Castellanos explained the penalty-kick protocol adopted at the club, with him and Mattia Zaccagni sharing duties. Not so long ago, the winger opted to take it himself, denying the Argentine a hat-trick against OGC Nice. But as the striker said in his post-match interview (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), he and his skipper congregate on the spot before electing the kicker.
I had agreed with Zac, we always talk on the pitch and he let me take the penalty this time. I’m happy with the goal and the performance, especially in the first half. We earned a very important victory. The week was complicated but the team worked well game and the important thing is to always stay united.
As for his goal celebration (pictured above), the former Girona man revealed it was a dedication to Enrico Lotito who turned 28 on Saturday. The latter is the son of Lazio president Claudio Lotito and serves as the club’s academy manager.
View publisher imprintMy celebration was for Enrico, president Lotito’s son. He had asked me to do it before the match.