Lazio gets back on track, finds success against an opaque Genoa after the knockout with Sassuolo and takes three precious points that serve not to sink into anonymity waiting for a true rebirth. Sarri’s team needed a victory to give a first turning signal in order to arrive at the Christmas break with a better ranking than the current one and hit the first goal by dropping the trio at the Olimpico. Without Immobile, still struggling with an injury, Pedro first thought about relaunching the Biancocelesti, the creator of the goal with which the match was unlocked at 36 ‘closed with a header by Acerbi at 74’ and a goal by Zaccagni all ’80 on a splendid assist from Luis Alberto. Melegoni’s goal 5 ‘from the end is useless. The Griffin almost never managed to annoy the Biancoceleste Eagle, ending up suffering the fourth consecutive defeat. Coach Shevcenko remains with only one point obtained in six games, too little to avoid bad thoughts in a relegation key. The Ligurian team held out only for a while and then dissolved in front of the quality of Lazio, able to unlock after the goal of the advantage, play with greater rhythm and break any desire for recovery from the opponents. With this success, Lazio, which lacked a home win since 7 November, temporarily reaches Rome and Juventus with 28 points, in sixth place in the standings. What it takes to gain ambition and confidence.
In Lazio still absent Immobile, not summoned, while Luis Alberto starts from the bench. Pedro in the middle of a three-way attack with Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson on the outside, Cataldi in the median together with Milinkovic-Savic positioned on the right and Basic on the left. Among the rossoblùs the coach Shevchenko fielded the returning Destro from 1 ‘, already scoring in the derby lost against Sampdoria. His partner in attack is the veteran Pandev with Giglione and Cambiasso on the wings.
Slow start of the challenge with the two teams that limit themselves to studying each other paying attention more to the restarts than to building. The first blaze is from the Biancocelesti in the 8th minute with Pedro who picks up a throw from Hysaj and lets go of a left foot that engages Sirigu, forced to deflect for a corner. Sarri’s team is still dangerous in the 16 ‘with Cataldi still serving the Spanish striker who, from a tight angle, tries again with the left-handed without luck. However, the Biancoceleste eagle struggles to build continuously, suffers the pressure of Genoa which relies on the restarts with Portanova trying to be more aggressive by exploiting the vertical movements of Pandev and Destro. Sarri begins to get impatient, he walks nervously in front of the bench dissatisfied with his team’s game. He asks for more speed and dynamism, more quality in midfield and in the 36th minute he is satisfied. Felipe Anderson, more brilliant than in the opaque test against Sassuolo, recovers the ball on a mistake by Genoa, the winger runs on the left track and then serves in the center an easy easy assist for Pedro who only has to put in the left. The 34-year-old hasn’t scored six league goals since Sarri’s time at Chelsea. Unlocked the match Lazio shows greater fluidity and courage, Genoa suffers the blow and tries to react without ever giving the impression of being dangerous.
In the second half Shevchenko inserts Biraschi and Hernani in place of the injured Vanheusden and Sturaro and Genoa begins to gain the field showing themselves more enterprising and courageous. Lazio crushes itself too much, decides not to sink and wait for the opponents to then restart above all centrally, thus trying to manage the match and partially put the game to sleep. But Sarri wants more and asks for rhythm, brilliance and dynamism by inviting his team to push. For this he relies on the bench by inserting Luis Alberto in place of Basic and Radu for Hysaj while Sheva removes an off Pandev for Ekuban with Sabelli for Ghiglione. The Griffin, however, does not scratch, the Eagle on the other hand yes and at 75 ‘closes the match with Acerbi who heads the ball from a corner kick. Lazio then drops the trio with Zaccagni thanks to a perfect assist from Luis Alberto, Genoa reacts with Melegoni 5 ‘from the end but it is too late.