Returning Mattia Zaccagni Secures Lazio Win as Two Cagliari ...

Lazio extended their winning streak to three in Serie A as they edged past their visitors Cagliari in a chaotic affair at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Biancocelesti had a dream start, taking the lead as early as the second minute. Luca Pellegrini sent a powerful freekick to the center of the goal, but the bounce made it awkward for Simone Scuffet who fumbled the catch. Boulaye Dia was the quickest to react, pouncing on the rebound to put the home side up front.

While the Isolani’s reaction was somewhat shy, they still managed to snatch an equalizer right before halftime. Zito Luvumbo’s shot was deflected off Mario Gila, thus wrongfooting Ivan Provedel.

After the interval, Marco Baroni made a curious substitution, bringing in Matias Vecino for Tijjani Nolsin. The Uruguayan almost restored the Aquile’s lead, but his close-range attempt was blocked by Sebastiano Luperto.

In the 73rd minute, Mattia Zaccagni made his return following a ten-day absence due to illness, replacing the furious Matteo Guendouzi. Luckily for the Lazio captain, he entered the pitch at the right time, as Pellegrini swiftly won a spot-kick after being clipped by Nadir Zortea. Although Scuffet guessed it right, Zaccagni’s low drive had enough power and precision to beat the Cagliari goalkeeper.

Shortly afterwards, the Rossoblu pressed the self-destruct button. Yerry Mina received his second yellow for holding up Taty Castellanos, and a few seconds later, Michel Adopo followed suit for dissent, thus leaving Cagliari with nine men on the pitch.

While Lazio couldn’t capitalize on their two-man advantage to add more goals, they managed to secure an important victory, even if it wasn’t their most captivating display. Baroni’s men thus remained 5th in the table, but find themselves only three points behind the league leaders Napoli.

Goals: 2′ Dia (L), 41′ Luvumbo (C), 76′ Zaccagni (L)

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari (80′ Marusic), Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi (73′ Zaccagni), Rovella; Isaksen (62′ Pedro), Dia (80′ Dele-Bashiru), Noslin (46′ Vecino); Castellanos. Coach Baroni.

Cagliari (4-2-3-1): Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello (67′ Obert); Makoumbou, Adopo; Zortea (77′ Felici), Gaetano (67′ Viola), Luvumbo (83′ Deiola); Piccoli (83′ Palomino). Coach Nicola. 

Referee: Ayroldi

Yellow cards: Adopo (C), Augello (C), Noslin (L), Mina (C), Zappa (C), Lazzari (L), Luvumbo (C), Luperto (C), Rovella (C).

Red cards: Mina (C), Adopo (C)