[Serie A] Lazio - Empoli = 2 -1

In the seventh week of the Italian Serie A, Lazio secured a 2-1 victory over Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Despite Taty Castellanos missing a penalty, Lazio came from behind to hand Empoli their first defeat of the season, with goals from Mattia Zaccagni and Pedro Rodriguez.

Lazio entered the match with confidence, having topped their UEFA Europa League group and coming off a 3-2 league win over Torino. On the other hand, Empoli remained unbeaten despite missing several key players, including Saba Sazanov and Tyronne Ebuehi.

Empoli surprised the home crowd by taking the lead through Sebastiano Esposito’s header after an error from Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. Lazio's situation worsened when Manuel Lazzari left the game due to injury. However, just before halftime, Zaccagni equalized with a header from a Nuno Tavares cross.

In the second half, Lazio was awarded a penalty for a foul on Boulaye Dia, but Castellanos’ attempt was saved by Empoli’s goalkeeper, Vasquez. Late in the game, Pedro came off the bench to give Lazio the lead, finishing a through ball from Castellanos with a powerful shot off the crossbar.

This marked Lazio's fourth consecutive win across all competitions, moving them up to fourth place in Serie A, level on 13 points with Juventus and Udinese. 

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel 5.5; Lazzari 6 (38' Marusic 6.5), Gila 6.5, Romagnoli 5.5, Tavares 7 (86' Pellegrini n/a); Guendouzi 7, Rovella 7; Isaksen 5.5 (73' Pedro 7.5), Dia 6 (86' Castrovilli n/a), Zaccagni 7.5 (86' Noslin n/a); Castellanos 5.5

Bench: Mandas, Furlanetto, Gigot, Patric, Dele-Bashiru, Tchaouna

Coach: Baroni 7.5

Goalscorers: 9' Esposito (E), 45+4' Zaccagni (L), 84' Pedro (L)

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