Europa League: Lazio-Porto, le Pagelle
The Stadio Olimpico was the stage for a captivating clash between Lazio and Porto in the Round of 16 first leg of the Europa League. The Biancocelesti, spurred by a fervent home crowd, emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, leaving them in a strong position ahead of the second leg. Let's break down the individual performances with our player ratings:
Lazio
Ivan Provedel (7): A solid performance from the Lazio goalkeeper. He was a constant presence, making crucial saves to deny Porto's attacking threat. His composure was essential in navigating moments of pressure.
Manuel Lazzari (6.5): A dependable display on the right flank. Lazzari provided good defensive cover and offered occasional attacking bursts. His ability to overlap and contribute to the attack was valuable.
Patric (6): A steady performance from the Brazilian center-back. Patric's aerial presence and tackling were essential in keeping Porto's dangerous forwards at bay.
Nicolo Casale (6.5): The young defender impressed with his composure and tactical awareness. He managed Porto's attacking line well, making timely interceptions and displaying good communication with his defensive partners.
Adam Marusic (6): A consistent performer in the left-back position. Marusic offered both defensive solidity and occasional attacking forays, offering valuable support to Lazio's offensive efforts.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (7.5): A dominant presence in midfield. Milinkovic-Savic controlled the tempo, distributing the ball effectively and creating scoring opportunities with his passing range. His influence was felt throughout the game.
Luis Alberto (7): The Spanish midfielder displayed his trademark creativity. He orchestrated attacks with clever passing, consistently finding teammates in dangerous positions. His vision and passing accuracy were key to Lazio's success.
Mattia Zaccagni (7): A lively performance on the right wing. Zaccagni was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling skills, constantly creating chances for himself and his teammates. He was a crucial part of Lazio's attacking threat.
Felipe Anderson (6): The Brazilian forward brought his flair to the game. He showcased his ability to beat defenders with his dribbling skills, but his final product was lacking. He needs to find more consistency in the final third.
Ciro Immobile (7.5): The Lazio captain delivered a captain's performance. Immobile scored the opening goal with a clinical finish, demonstrating his composure in front of goal. His leadership and work rate were inspirational.
Pedro (6.5): The veteran forward entered the game in the second half and added a spark to Lazio's attack. He combined well with his teammates and made a positive impact on the match.
Substitutes:
Cataldi (6): Brought on to solidify Lazio's midfield. He contributed defensively and helped maintain their control of the game.
Basic (6): Added some fresh legs to the midfield. He provided good cover and helped Lazio see out the victory.
Vecino (N/A): A brief cameo appearance in the closing stages.
Porto
Diogo Costa (5): The Porto goalkeeper struggled against Lazio's attacking force. He made some decent saves, but he was beaten twice, and his distribution could have been better.
João Marcelo (5.5): A mixed performance from the Porto right-back. He offered some decent attacking contributions, but he was exposed defensively, struggling to contain Lazio's wingers.
Pepe (6): A veteran presence in the Porto defense. Pepe was a commanding figure, making important tackles and clearances. His experience and leadership were valuable.
Ivan Marcano (5.5): A solid performance from the Porto center-back. He made important tackles and interceptions but was occasionally caught out of position by Lazio's dynamic attack.
Zaidu Sanusi (5): A quiet performance from the Porto left-back. He offered little threat going forward and struggled to cope with Lazio's attacking pressure.
Eustaquio (6.5): A composed display from the Porto midfielder. Eustaquio controlled the tempo of the game and offered good defensive cover. He was one of Porto's better performers.
Otavio (6): A busy presence in the Porto midfield. He attempted to control the game and offered some attacking threat, but he was ultimately unable to influence the outcome.
Galeno (6): The Porto winger showed glimpses of his potential. He created some dangerous moments with his pace and dribbling skills, but he was unable to convert them into goals.
Taremi (5.5): The Porto striker struggled to make an impact. He was well-marked by Lazio's defense and lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Evanilson (6): The Porto forward offered a physical presence in the attack. He held the ball up well and created some opportunities for his teammates.
Substitutes:
Wendell (5.5): Brought on to add some attacking threat, but he failed to make a real impact on the game.
Uribe (5.5): Came on in the second half but was unable to turn the tide for Porto.
Grujic (N/A): A late substitute who didn't have enough time to make an impression.
Conclusion
Lazio emerged victorious in a tightly contested match against Porto. Their attacking prowess and the impressive individual performances of several key players gave them a deserved win. The Biancocelesti will be confident going into the second leg, but Porto will be looking to turn the tide in the return match. This tie is far from over, and both teams will be vying for a place in the Europa League quarterfinals.