Lazio reacted strongly to a controversial Patric red card just 15 minutes in, still managing to beat CFR Cluj with a stunning Ciro Immobile volley in this Conference League play-off.
The Biancocelesti dropped down from the Europa League to this competition after a disappointing continental campaign. Alessio Romangoli and Stefan Radu were injured as they hosted a Romanian side with ex-Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a huge chance in the opening minutes, as he chested down a cross and saw the first-time strike parried by the goalkeeper’s leg.
However, the game was ruined after just 15 minutes when the referee opted to show Patric a straight red card. Krasniqi had gone past two tackles when he was brought down by Patric around 10 yards outside the box. It was a push to call that a clear scoring opportunity, but VAR stood by the original decision and Lazio were down to 10 men.
Despite that, they still continued to push and earn a series of corners and English referee Craig Pawson rather lost control of the game, in the first half flashing a red card and four yellows despite there being only 12 free kicks.
Nonetheless, Lazio took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a goal of great quality. Felipe Anderson flicked a free kick over the top and Ciro Immobile let it drop over his shoulder before smashing in the right-foot volley from a tricky angle. It was the club legend’s first goal in all competition since January 4, ending a drought of 448 minutes in all competition.
Cristian Manea nodded wide from a Cluj set play and Milinkovic-Savic fired at the goalkeeper from Mattia Zaccagni’s assist, but Lazio were so unlucky when a Matias Vecino header from a corner was cleared off the line by Mario Camora at the back post.
Manuel Lazzari saw his effort charged down in the box and it remained genuinely difficult to tell Lazio were down to 10 men for most of the match.
Lazio 1-0 Cluj
Immobile 45 (L)
Sent off: Patric 15 (L)
Player statistic
| Patric |  |
15' | ||
| Mattia Zaccagni |  |
39' | ||
| 41' | |
Nana Boateng | ||
| Sergej Milinkovic-Savic | |
44' | ||
| Ciro Immobile (Assist: Felipe Anderson) |
 |
45+4' | ||
| 45+3' | |
Yuri Matias |
| Elseid Hysaj | |
49' | ||
| 79' | |
Ovidiu Hoban |
Match statistic
