Super League MD04 #16 Lazio v #5 Juventus
JUV - Cristiano Ronaldo [5] 15’
JUV - Cristiano Ronaldo [6] 34’
LAZ - Ciro Immobile [2] 62’
LAZ - Saul Ardero YC 26’
MD04 - [16] LAZIO V. [5] JUVENTUS [1-2]
ALL TIME RECORD: FIRST MEETING
A hard luck, last minute loss to Atletico in Turin last week has everyone wondering how Juventus will respond. If it is indeed Apex Juventus, then they need 3 points from Lazio tonight. For Lazio the honeymoon is over, they have arrived in SL1 and like every other club debuting in the League of Death, they are finding the going very difficult.
The first goal displayed the struggles of a first year SL1 club, perhaps not used to the die-hard run of play, Lazio committed a horrid defensive error in the 15th minute, with Ronaldo dispossessing Luiz Felipe and nailing his SL1 leading 5th of the season. He would add his 6th in the 34th, a more conventional volley smash off Dybala’s astute lead pass into the box.
Lazio were not without agency however and they set to the attack, coming close quite a few times, but ultimately had to go to halftime down 0-2. They would catch a break in the 62nd when Correa found Ciro Immobile at the edge of the six yard box, his volley near side just beat Szczesny and we had a compelling match once again.
Unfortunately for Lazio that would be the extent of their offensive competence, Juventus regained control of the pitch and denied any further chances. Juventus had the only opportunities for another goal, though many were low-probability efforts. A rather quiet 2-1 finish ensued and Juventus can breathe a sigh of relief, gutting out a necessary victory.
Lazio need to cut down on the errors, defensive miscues, rushed shots, are the hallmark traits of the inexperienced. They need to learn quickly for they will find no consolation in the cold walls of SL1, where everyone is a shark and blood in the water is a feeding frenzy.
MD05: Lazio hit the road to Milan for a date with Inter; Juventus will host Napoli