Lazio secured a dramatic 2-1 Serie A victory over Sassuolo, with Adam Marušić’s injury-time goal snatching all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio entered this encounter in 11th place, desperate to find consistency after a mixed run of form, including a recent win but mostly draws and losses. Sassuolo, positioned 9th, arrived with confidence, boasting a strong run of four wins in their last five league outings.
The match exploded into life almost immediately. Lazio took the lead in the 2nd minute, as Daniel Maldini showed quick instincts to fire the ball past the Sassuolo goalkeeper. This gave the home side a dream start in Rome.
Sassuolo, however, responded well to going behind. They pushed for an equalizer and found it in the 35th minute when Armand Laurienté expertly guided a shot into the net. Kristian Thorstvedt provided the assist, levelling the score before halftime.
The first half also saw a tactical substitution for Lazio, with Danilo Cataldi replacing Patric in the 38th minute. Sassuolo's Luca Lipani also picked up a yellow card for a foul, reflecting the growing intensity.
The teams went into the break level at 1-1. Both managers likely used the interval to fine-tune strategies, knowing the next goal could be pivotal in this tightly contested affair.
The second half began with more changes. Sassuolo brought on Nemanja Matic, while Lazio introduced Alessio Romagnoli. The substitutions aimed to shift momentum and bring fresh legs into the midfield battles.
Sassuolo continued to accumulate bookings, with Ulisses Garcia receiving a yellow card in the 58th minute. This showed their increasing frustration as Lazio pressed for a second goal.
As the game entered its final stages, both teams made multiple substitutions to push for a winner. Lazio replaced goal-scorer Maldini, while Sassuolo introduced attacking options like M'Bala Nzola. The visitors also picked up two late yellow cards for Laurienté (86') and Krystian Walukiewicz (88').
Just when a draw seemed inevitable, Lazio found their hero. In the 90+2nd minute, Adam Marušić scored a dramatic late winner, assisted by Matteo Cancellieri. His powerful strike sealed a crucial victory for the Biancocelesti.
Lazio’s win was well-deserved, boasting an Expected Goals (xG) of 2.59 compared to Sassuolo's 0.67. They also recorded 13 total shots with 5 on target, while Sassuolo managed 7 total shots with 4 on target. Both teams shared 50% ball possession.
This thrilling comeback victory at the Stadio Olimpico allows Lazio to climb the Serie A table. It also halts Sassuolo's impressive recent run of form, significantly boosting Lazio's hopes for a stronger league finish.
