Late Adam Marusic Volley Secures Vital Win for Underwhelming Lazio Over 10-Man Lecce

Despite their numerical advantage, Lazio were made to sweat to earn a timely victory over Lecce at the Via del Mare.

The Lineup

Taty Castellanos made his return from suspension to spearhead Marco Baroni’s 4-2-3-1 lineup, while Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia and Mattia Zaccagni were the supporting crew. Alessio Romagnoli made a swift return from injury to marshall the backline alongside Mario Gila.

Robust Wladimiro Flacone

The Biancocelesti tested Wladimiro Falcone on several occasions in the first half, but the Italian custodian showed his impeccable skills to deny Manuel Lazzari, Isaksen and Castellanos. On the other hand, Ivan Provedel stood firm to push back a vicious volley from Tete Morente. In the end, it was the Biancocelesti who broke the deadlock just before halftime.

Taty Castellanos Scores from the Spot

Nicolo Rovella picked up Castellanos between the crowd with a clever pass. The Argentine was once again denied by the excellent Falcone, but his rebound would have headed straight to the net if it wasn’t for Frederic Guilbert who got himself sent off for making a goal-line clearance with his hand. Castellanos drilled in a powerful shot from the spot while sending the goalkeeper in the wrong direction.

Tete Morente Stuns Lazio

With an extra man on the pitch, Lazio would have envisioned a relatively manageable second period, however, it was anything but. Lecce stunned their visitors with a superb strike from Morente who pounced on a loose ball, sending a fascinating volley between the crowd from the outside of the box to bring the match to life.

Adam Marusic to the Rescue

For the most part of the second half, Lazio kept possession, but couldn’t create dangerous chances, with Lecce standing their ground. Nevertheless, Adam Marusic emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring a late winner off the bench. The Montenegrin connected on the volley, and his bouncing shot crept towards the far corner.

Late Scares

The Giallorossi almost forked out another equalizer in added time, but Mohamed Kaba’s header crashed against the woodwork, while Morente’s long-range went just wide. Hence, Lazio were able to register a slim yet vital victory away from home to climb to fourth place, albeit Fiorentina have two extra matches in hand.

Lecce 1-2 Lazio

45’+2 Castellanos, 50′ Morente, 87′ Marusic

Lecce (4-3-3):  Falcone; Guilbert (esp.), Baschirotto, Jean (91′ Sansone), Dorgu; Coulibaly, Berisha (78′ Kaba), Rafia (59′ Pierret); Pierotti, Krstovic (59′ Rebic), Morente.

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari (82′ Marusic), Romagnoli, Gila, Nuno Tavares (70′ Pellegrini); Rovella, Guendouzi; Zaccagni (82′ Noslin), Dia (64′ Pedro), Isaksen (70′ Tchaouna); Castellanos.