Lazio Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat Against Rampant Sassuolo

Picture this: an empty Stadio Olimpico echoing with the ghosts of protesting ultras, a debutant keeper between the sticks, and Sassuolo knocking on the door of European spots. That's the chaotic scene as Lazio hosted the Neroverdi in a mid-table scrap that had more twists than a Sarri training drill. Thanks to sharp reporting from Susy Campanale at Football Italia, we've got the full lowdown on this rollercoaster.

Keeper Chaos and Lazio's Injury Nightmare

Lazio kicked off life without their rock-solid stopper Ivan Provedel, who's sidelined for the season after shoulder surgery. In steps January recruit Edoardo Motta for his Serie A bow – talk about trial by fire against Domenico Berardi's free-kick wizardry. With Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella, and Samuel Gigot also nursing knocks, boss Maurizio Sarri shuffled the pack: Fisayo Dele-Bashiru anchoring midfield, flanked by Daniel Maldini, Gustav Isaksen, and Mattia Zaccagni up top.

The Biancocelesti have been wobbly lately, nicking just two points from their last four league games and blanking in three straight Coppa Italia ties. Fresh off a 2-2 thriller with Atalanta in the semis – where Boulaye Dia netted but they twice blew the lead – the pressure's on. Oh, and those boycotting ultras? They're cheering from outside the ground in a standoff with president Claudio Lotito. Empty seats or not, Sarri's lads needed a spark.

Sassuolo's Surge Meets Olimpico Steel

Enter Sassuolo, the newly-promoted surprise package riding a wave of form: five wins in six, only tripped up by league leaders Inter. A victory here would've catapulted them to eighth, leapfrogging Bologna, while Lazio could claw to within one point in 10th. Sebastian Walukiewicz was back from suspension, but Andrea Pinamonti sat out a ban, and Alieu Fadera was nursing a busted cheekbone from their gritty 2-1 win over Atalanta (down to 10 men for most of it!).

M'Bala Nzola led the line with Berardi and Armand Laurienté, Nemanja Matic getting a breather on the bench. Long-term absentees like Daniel Boloca and co. didn't dampen spirits – these lads have been bossing it, smashing Verona 3-0 and Udinese 2-1 recently.

Lineups told the tale:

Lazio: Motta; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni

Sassuolo: Muric; Coulibaly, Idzes, Muharemovic, Garcia; Koné, Lipani, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Nzola, Laurienté

Kick-off at 19:45 GMT, and it was anyone's game in this 9th vs 10th ding-dong.

Marusic Magic Seals the Deal

The action didn't disappoint. Daniel Maldini cracked open the scoring early, celebrating like he'd won the Scudetto – pure joy from the ex-Milan man. Sassuolo hit back to level, keeping their top-half dreams alive, but just when it looked like a point apiece, keeper Adam Marusic – wait, no, full-back Adam Marusic pounced on a howler in stoppage time. 2-1 Lazio, and the Aquile soar into the top 10!

Sassuolo's form hit a bump, but credit Motta for a debut to remember, steadying the ship amid the drama. Lazio's recent 2-0 loss to Torino and draws with Cagliari sting less now. For the Neroverdi, that Atalanta scalp feels distant after this gut-punch.

Sarri's men head to Bergamo next for the Coppa return leg, but tonight? Beers on the house in Rome – well, outside the stadium anyway. What a laugh riot.