Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio had chances, but their 0-0 draw with Trabzonspor sees them go through as runners-up in Europa League Group J.
Lazio had chances, but their 0-0 draw with Trabzonspor sees them go through as runners-up in Europa League Group J.
Both sides had already qualified, but the hosts needed a victory to win the group. Miroslav Klose was only fit for the bench, while Antonio Candreva and Hernanes were rested on Giuseppe Biava and Diego Novaretti’s comebacks. Sergio Floccari scored two late goals to earn Lazio’s 3-3 draw in Turkey when these teams last met and got the chance to start at the Olimpico. Trabzonspor missed Kadir Keles and the suspended Zokora.
Florent Malouda and Ederson tested the goalkeepers with attempts from distance and Souleymane Bamba charged down a Floccari shot in the opening minutes.
Onur Kivrak smothered an Ederson free kick, as did Berisha on Olcan Adin’s set piece, while Felipe Anderson surged past three defenders only to then try an audacious back-heel assist for Keita Balde.
Lazio went extremely close when a Keita corner found Floccari’s glancing header and the goalkeeper was caught in no man’s land, but the ball whooshed inches past the base of the far post.
Another Keita corner wreaked havoc in the box, as Biava’s effort was charged down from six yards and Ederson’s overhead kick on the follow-up was just wide.
Moments later Felipe Anderson’s solo strike skimmed the crossbar and in the last kick of the first half Onur Kivrak got down to block Pedro Cavanda’s long-range shot.
Ederson tested the goalkeeper again and Mustafa Yumlu flicked on an Olcan Adin free kick past the upright. Petkovic threw on Antonio Candreva and Hernanes for a more attacking side, while Bamba again flung himself in the path of Floccari in the box to charge down a dangerous attempt.
Miroslav Klose made his comeback after a month out with a shoulder injury. Within 60 seconds of stepping on to the field, the German international came sliding in to meet a Candreva cross from eight yards, but couldn’t make a clean enough contact to beat Onur Kivrak.
Mustafa Yumlu risked an own goal with a misplaced backpass, then on the counter Stefan Radu performed a clean tackle to stop Olcan Adin just outside the area, but slipped and fouled him at the second attempt, earning a yellow card.
Klose did very well to burst between two defenders and pull across from the by-line, but there was nobody ready to tap in, much to his fury.
The jeers that rained down from the stands throughout the second half highlighted the intense psychological pressure Lazio are under and this goalless stalemate will have done little to help. They are second in Europa League Group J and risk an extremely tough draw in the knockouts.
Lazio 0-0 Trabzonspor
Lazio: Berisha; Cavanda, Novaretti, Biava, Radu; Ledesma; Onazi (Hernanes 66), Felipe Anderson (Candreva 59), Keita, Ederson (Klose 75); Floccari
Trabzonspor: Onur Kivrak; Bosingwa, Yumlu, Bamba, Demir; Colman, Aykut Adin; Olcan Adin, Malouda, Alanzinho (Yusuf Erdogan 65); Paulo Henrique (Emre Gural 87)
Ref: Turpin (FRA)