Lazio created the first clear chance of the game after a slick combination down the left freed Dele-Bashiru inside the box. The number seven struck a diagonal effort across goal, but it flashed wide.
From there, the tempo dropped. Atromitos defended deep, forming what was essentially a wall inside their own area. Lazio circulated the ball patiently but without penetration, their slow pace making it easy for Atromitos to hold firm. Inevitably, Lazio resorted to long shots from distance, though these were poorly directed.
Atromitos’ Defensive Shape
Atromitos’ defensive block was compact and unconventional. Their attacking midfielder dropped into a right-back role, forming a narrow back line alongside the two centre-backs and left-back. Just ahead, a second line added another layer of protection: the right central midfielder sat centrally, while the left central midfielder played wider than usual. The original right-back moved into midfield to mirror this position, while both wide midfielders tucked inside to clog central spaces. The result was a heavily congested middle third that stifled Lazio’s build-up.
Even at corners, where Lazio had clearly rehearsed routines, Atromitos’ positioning and discipline prevented any breakthroughs.
First-Half Flashpoint
The first period drifted without incident until a sudden brawl erupted — the most dramatic moment of the half, and arguably the entire match. Lazio striker Castellanos and Atromitos centre-back Mansur were both shown red cards after the scuffle.
To adjust, Atromitos replaced forward Weert with defender Tsamakis, restoring their back four. In stoppage time, Atromitos broke forward on a counter-attack and fired a long-range shot that tested Lazio’s goalkeeper.
Lazio Raise the Tempo
After the restart, Atromitos’ defensive shape loosened and Lazio began to play with more urgency. Their movement and tempo improved noticeably.
At the 56th minute, Zaccagni combined neatly with Cancellieri. After a quick exchange, Zaccagni broke into the box, but his shot was smothered by a sliding challenge. Moments later, Lazio swung in a free-kick that fell to a teammate inside the box, but he couldn’t direct his first-time effort on target.
Lazio’s pressure grew. Pedro had a shot deflected, the rebound falling to Zaccagni, whose curling strike was brilliantly saved. Shortly after, Marušić delivered a cross from the right, which Noslin headed home in the 77th minute to give Lazio the breakthrough.
Atromitos briefly thought they had equalised in the 87th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
In the final minute of normal time, Lazio sealed the win with a superb move. Starting near the left corner of the box, a quick exchange released Pedro, who dribbled past his marker with a deft first touch before cutting inside and finishing smartly against the goalkeeper’s momentum.
Final Thoughts
Lazio won 2–0, but the performance left questions. Their forwards and midfielders struggled to consistently break down Atromitos’ compact block, and although the second half showed signs of improvement, creativity in the final third was lacking. Over a long season, this lack of cutting edge could prove costly.
Written by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
INMR FOOTBALL 
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