Lazio Snatch Dramatic Late Win Over Sassuolo Amid Ultras' Empty-Seat Protest
Lazio clinched a 2-1 stoppage-time victory over Sassuolo at a near-deserted Stadio Olimpico, thanks to goals from Daniel Maldini and Adam Marusic, despite a fan boycott protesting club president Claudio Lotito. Sassuolo equalised through Armand Laurienté but faltered late, with boss Fabio Grosso lamenting naive errors despite an impressive season. The result boosts Lazio to 10th, while Sassuolo remain ninth, amid the Biancocelesti's keeper crisis with Ivan Provedel sidelined.
Lazio Edge Sassuolo in Tense Olimpico Showdown
Imagine rocking up to the Stadio Olimpico expecting a roaring crowd, only to find it quieter than a library on a Monday. That's the scene for Lazio's 2-1 victory over Sassuolo, as ultras boycotted their fifth straight home game in a principled stand against president Claudio Lotito. Attendance? A measly 5,000, mostly non-protesters – season-ticket holders stayed away, wallets already lighter but principles intact.
The match kicked off at 19:45 GMT, the last of Week 28's fixtures. Lazio needed a win to climb to 10th; Sassuolo, buzzing after five wins in six, eyed eighth by leapfrogging Bologna. But it was the Biancocelesti who struck first, Daniel Maldini – son of a legend – rifling home after just 80 seconds. Pandemonium in the sparse stands!
Debut Drama and Lineup Lowdown
Lazio's keeper crisis hit hard: Ivan Provedel's out for the season with a shoulder op, as confirmed by the club and Sky Sport Italia. Gaffer Maurizio Sarri debuted Edoardo Motta between the sticks, fuming over the sale of Christos Mandas too. "Totally against it," he blasted post-match.
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.
Nemanja Matic sat out with the flu doing the rounds – hope he's back soon, eh? Fabio Grosso's Neroverdi started sluggish but hit back through Armand Laurienté's leveller.
Stoppage-Time Heartbreaker Seals It
Sassuolo pushed hard in the second half, bossing it early, but faded. Arijanet Muric's dodgy positioning – a recurring theme – let Adam Marusic nod in Matteo Cancellieri's cross deep into added time. Gutting for the visitors, who squandered big chances.
Grosso, as reported by Susy Campanale at Football Italia, admitted they're "ahead of schedule" but cried immaturity: "Naïve errors cost us. We reacted well but lost intensity psychologically." Fair play – five wins from six prior games is no fluke, only slipping to leaders Inter.
Lazio's fresh legs off the bench swung it, exploiting Sassuolo's drop-off. Andrea Pinamonti missed out suspended, adding to their woes.
Table Shake-Up and Bigger Picture
Check the Serie A standings post-match:
| Rank | Team | Played | GD | Points |
|------|----------|--------|-----|--------|
| 1 | Inter | 28 | +42 | 67 |
| 2 | Milan | 28 | +24 | 60 |
| ... | Sassuolo | 28 | ? | 38? |
| ... | Lazio | 28 | ? | 35? |
(Lazio nudge up to 10th, Sassuolo stay ninth – exact GD tweaks pending full update.)
This win's a lifeline for Sarri's turbulent campaign, but the boycott rumbles on. Ultras demand change; Lotito digs in. Atmosphere? Eerie, but the football delivered – Maldini's rocket, Laurienté's fire, Marusic's header of dreams.
Original reporting by fbadmin and Susy Campanale at Football Italia captured the live chaos. Sassuolo's rise under Grosso is the story of the season – ambitious, exciting, but green around the edges. Lazio? Gritty survivors in a half-empty fortress. What's next? Pub debate material, lads.