Lazio maybe getting some positive results in Serie A recently, but apparently it still can’t replicate that performance in European competition as the Biancocelesti are yet to pick u pa victory in their latest Europa League fixture.
A contrasting outcome compared to another Italian side who are still fighting in that competition, Udinese, who in the other hand looking comfortably both in the league and also in Europe especially after registering their second victory in the competition last Thursday.
Another Draw for Biancocelesti
Lazio’s success in beating As Roma in the Derby last weekend didn’t seem to give much effect for their midweek performance as Edy Reja’s team only managed to pick up a draw against FC Zurich, making the Biancocelesti’s road in the competition gets harder. The Roman outfit coming into the match with a mission to pick up three points as they only managed a point from the previous two games in Europa League, however it seems luck still not on their side.
Giussepe Sculli, who is a regular in Europe, gave Lazio an early lead after firing his shot into Zurich’s net in the 22th minute, but a minute later the home team equalized through Nicki, who blasted Alphonse’s pass inside the Italian side’s bar. No more goals arrived for both teams until the final whistle, despite the Roman outfit dominating the goal scoring chances especially in the second period, but just like in previous matches in the tournament, the Biancocelesti kept on wasting their opportunities.
Udinese Continues Positive Campaign
Meanwhile, in Friuli a different outcome arrived for Udinese, who successfully beaten one of Spanish top side, Atletico Madrid with two late goals from Mehdi Benatia and Antonio Floro Flores. The result obviously an impressive achievement from Francesco Guidolin’s side as they didn’t really started their main players for the tie, while Atletico on the other hand fielded most of their best eleven.
After a pretty dull first period, the Italian side pretty much showed their effectiveness in picking up results after grabbing two goals in the last five minutes of the game, the first arrived after Atletico Madrid players didn’t managed to clear the home team’s corner well, allowing Deigo Fabbrini to sent the ball back into the penalty area and finished of well by Benatia. The second one came from a counter attack after Jose Antonio Reyes got robbed by Udinese’s defender, allowing Badu to lead the counter attack and found an unmarked Floro Flores, who placed his shot a cross Courtouis’ goal.
This results pretty much gave the impression that Udinese might be the only representatives from Italy left in the competition should Lazio didn’t really improved their showing, a pretty dangerous outcome for Italian football as their coefficient ranked could get lower. Obviously there will be criticism once again about the seriousness of the Italian teams, especially the Biancocelesti in the second rate European competition, but in truth the Rome outfit could argue that luck haven’t really been on their side as they can’t seem to maximize their chances in the matches they’ve been playing.
However, there’s definitely something that Reja can tweak if he still have any ambition in carrying Lazio further in the competition as although the Europa League might not be considered that prestigious for Italian teams. Still, winning the competition could provide the Biancocelesti with something to cherish by the en of season, considering the club haven’t really won anything for quite some time now.
photo credit: americanistadechiapas
