Lazio were humiliated 5-1 in Denmark by Midtjylland, confirming their dismal away record in the Europa League and the tendency to have complete blackouts in some matches.
The Biancocelesti wanted to build on their 4-2 victory over Feyenoord, but with Mattia Zaccagni and Manuel Lazzari injured, they brought in Pedro, Stefan Radu and rested Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Danes lost their opener to Sturm Graz and won just two out of 14 competitive matches this season, with Pablo Ortiz and Junior Brumado on the treatment table.
Elseid Hysaj’s pull-back for Ciro Immobile was intercepted, but the hosts scored with practically their first real attempt.
Paulinho surged forward, laid it off to Gustav Isaksen who cut inside Hysaj and smashed a strike against the underside of the crossbar. The move continued, Evander also had an attempt charged down, but Paulinho turned in at the third time of asking. A very long check for VAR finally confirmed the goal was valid.
Moments after play had resumed, Lazio were caught napping when Anders Dreyer rolled across the box and thanks to a comical slip from Mario Gila, Sory Kaba was allowed to sweep home undisturbed from eight yards.
Ivan Provedel prevented a third with an acrobatic save on the deflected Henrik Dalsgaard header from a corner, as the Aquile seemed to just stop playing after that goal for a good 10 minutes.
Pedro woke them up by forcing a save on Matias Vecino’s assist, then Luis Alberto tried to curl in directly from the corner flag, only thumping the near post.
However, Midtjylland went on the counter-attack from that chance and Isaksen went down incredibly easily when feeling Danilo Cataldi hold his sleeve, allowing Evander to convert the penalty.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic came off the bench and immediately got a goal back, his snapshot from the edge of the area completely misjudged by Jonas Lossl.
However, Isaksen earned another penalty, this time drawing the soft foul from Adam Marusic. Provedel made the save on Evander’s spot-kick, but Isaksen was quickest to react on the rebound.
Lazio again simply stopped playing and Erik Sviatchenko was left totally unmarked at the back post to volley in an Evander cross.
Midtjylland 5-1 Lazio
Paulinho 26 (M), Kaba 30 (M), Evander pen 51 (M), Milinkovic-Savic 57 (L), Isaksen 67 (M), Sviatchenko 72 (M)
Saved penalty: Evander 67 (M)
What the hell …
How uoi go from beating feyenord 4-2 and get smacked week after 5-1 to Modyland
Lazio have always underwhelmed in Europe. Even if they win the odd game they never put together consistent performances. Like may Italian teams they take European tournaments as something to negotiate with the least amount of labour, always playing to the result that will keep them alive. Until they are out. Very disheartening for fans, especially those that travel.
Comedy of a club.
@chuck thr not farmers, thr fishermen….. the french are farmers.
Being telling everyone here, this is why the italian league is 4th best in the wrold, a great distance away from the 1=epl, 2=la liga – good step behind 3-bundersliga.
Thr teams dont do this
@giardino del Casio. Have a coke and smile, could’ve been 6! Hopefully this will inspire Kazzio to play better and win the cup!
@forzariommmmmmma ”Better to lose one time by 4 goals than 4 times by 1”.. We have learnt from the best!