Out-Of-Sorts Lazio Suffer Shocking Beatdown as Bologna Make Champions League Statement | OneFootball

The out-of-form Lazio extended their uninspiring run, as they suffered their heaviest defeat to Bologna since 1957/58.

Lazio Starting Lineup

Marco Baroni had entire squad to choose from aside from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. He decided to unleash a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Matias Vecino acting as an attacking midfielder behind Boulaye Dia.

Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni started on the wings, while Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella formed the double pivot, with Manuel Lazzari, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli and Adam Marusic forming the backline in front of Ivan Provedel.

Jens Odgaard Kickstarts the Show

After an unuventful 15 minutes, the Rossoblu stunned the visitors with the opener. After switching the play to the left, Juan Miranda was offered with enough time and space to send a cross towards goal-mouth. Perhaps thinking it was Provedel’s ball, Gila didn’t take any action, thus allowing Jens Odgaard to slip behind him and score a fabulous volley from close range.

While the Biancocelesti fans were hoping for an improved display in the second period, it was quite the opposite, with Baroni’s men suffering a shocking collapse.

Riccardo Orsolini Makes it Two

Riccardo Orsolini, who came close in the first half, eventually got his goal after being fed with a delightful through ball from Dan Ndoye. The Italian winger received the ball between the two Lazio centre-backs before beating Provedel with a clever chip.

Back-to-Back Blows

Only a few seconds after the restart, Guendouzi’s complacent pass gifted possession back to the Emilians who surged forward with numbers and found another crack in the backline. This time, it was Ndoye’s turn to score after being assisted by Lewis Ferguson. The Swiss winger’s shot found its way between the crowds before landing in Provedel’s far corner.

Before being hauled off the pitch, Zaccagni produced Lazio’s solitary chance of the match, but was denied by the post. On the contrary, Bologna kept pushing for more, and were rewarded for their efforts.

Another Costly Howler from Mario Gila

Gila’s horror show at the back continued as he was dispossessed by Tommaso Pobega who was adamant to make up for his costly blunder in the return fixture. The former Milan midfielder drove the ball to the box before feeding Santiago Castro who beat a reluctant Romagnoli before sliding it past the hapeless Provedel from close range.

Giovanni Fabbian Round Off Bologna Party

Sadly for Lazio, their humiliation wasn’t over yet, as the Emilians had one more in store. A neat passage of play on the left flank allowed Miranda to pick up Giovanni Fabbian for his second assist of the day. The former Inter Milan midfielder did well to find the back of the net with a solid header.

Champions League Blow

In one fell swoop, Bologna soared to fourth place in the standings (at least temporarily), while Lazio’s Champions League hopes were dealt a major blow as they slipped to sixth place, no to mention the agonizing effect this result will leave on the players’ psych.

Bologna Lazio 5-0: result and scoresheet

Goals : 16′ Odgaard (B), 48′ Orsolini (B), 49′ Ndoye (B), 74′ Castro (B), 84′ Fabbian (B).

Bologna (4-2-3-1) : Skorupski; Calabria, Beukema, Lucumí, Miranda; Freuler (59′ Pobega), Ferguson; Orsolini (73′ Cambiaghi), Odgaard (59′ Fabbian), Ndoye (78′ Dominguez); Castro (78′ Dallinga).

Lazio (4-2-3-1) : Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi (78′ Belahyane), Rovella; Isaksen (46′ Pedro), Vecino (83′ Ibrahimovic), Zaccagni (62′ Tchaouna); Dia (62′ Noslin).

Referee : Colombo from Como

Yellow cards : 33′ Freuler (B), 44′ Gila (L), 58′ Vecino (L), 76′ Castro (B), 91′ Romagnoli (L).