Lazio-Real Sociedad 3-1: victory and first place arithmetically, Basques demolished at the Olimpico

Rome 23 January 2025 - An almost perfect match, won and secured in the first half and then never reopened, except for a small leap of pride from the guests. The Lazio wins and snatches the first arithmetic place in the championship phase of Europa League, beaten 3-1 by Real Sociedad at the end of a match dominated from start to finish, once again demonstrating the super season that the Biancocelesti are experiencing in this competition. Crazy unlocks it immediately, then the red for Munoz makes the race downhill, with Weather in Zaccagni e Castilians good in the five minutes following the expulsion to close the match prematurely. In the end the consolation goal for the Basques is scored by barrenetxea. 

First half

It largely confirms the predictions made on the eve Baroni, which only changes one man compared to the standard formation: the goalkeeper. In fact, on the field there is mandas immense Provedel, protected by the four-man line composed of Marusic, Crazy, Romagnoli e Nuno tavares. In the middle the pair composed of confirmed Guendouzi e rovella. Dia plays forward in the centre of the attacking midfield, with Isaksen on the right, Weather in Zaccagni left and Castilians single point. On the other side instead Sheriff he chooses a 4-1-4-1 with very offensive connotations. Remiro in goal is protected by the couple the black e Aguerd in the center, with Aramburu right and Munoz to the left. zubimendi is the vertex in front of the defense, while the line of attacking midfielders sees Kubo to the right, Mendez on the left, with Sucic e Becker in the center behind oyarzabal.

It starts off very strong Lazio who is the absolute master of the field in the first quarter of an hour of the match. Enterprising dribbling and many men in the half of the field from the first actions and the match is unlocked almost immediately. In fact, on the developments of a free kick, the cross of Nuno tavares is deflected by a defender, but kept alive by Castilians. In fact, the Argentine heads the ball into the area for Crazy, who coordinates himself and slots the ball into the top corner. The clock shows just 6 minutes of play and the home team is already ahead in the score: it's 1-0 against Real Sociedad. 

A very interesting match from a competitive point of view, with a high pace and tough tackles right from the start, in fact two players were booked before the quarter of an hour of play. The first one to end up in the bad guys' notebook Fisherman è rovella, Followed by Munoz. The Lazio but he insists and at 15' he has three consecutive chances to double the score. First Day he enters on the centre-left, but his shot is blocked by the cross of Remiro in a corner kick. On the developments of the same the goalkeeper of the Real Sociedad he was beaten on two occasions, but first, on the attempt to Castilians, it is a defender who clears the ball on the line, then the outside of the post blocks the tap-in Crazy.

The chances for Lazio to double their lead wake up the Basques, who in the 23rd minute hit the woodwork themselves. Sucic space is created to shoot from the centre-right of the attacking front, but his attempt hits the support of the goal defended by mandas: shivers for the Olimpico. The Spaniards still attack in the 29th minute with the insertion of Becker, launched into the open field, but on the attempt he blocks Mandas on the ground. It is perhaps the best moment of the guests, but the match changes in an instant. After half an hour Munoz is still being skipped by Isaac and brings him down in a messy manner: second yellow and red card for the Spanish full-back. Real Sociedad in ten for the remaining hour of play. 

Lazio immediately took advantage of this and in the next five minutes they put the match under control. With their numerical superiority, Isaac breaks through on the centre-left, delightful touch in tow to the centre of the area for Weather in Zaccagni. The Lazio captain has all the time to settle the ball and score the Lazio double. About two minutes pass and Castilians the hat-trick comes with a beautiful header from a cross from the left by Nuno tavares. An Olympic stadium in ecstasy celebrates the white and blue colours, the sunken Real Sociedad for 3-0.

On the triple disadvantage Sheriff he has to give up something in attack, he goes out Mendez, inside Lopez. At the end of the first half, however, the first bad news of the evening arrived for the Lazio. After the warning for zubimendi, remains on the ground after an offensive tear Nuno tavares. The player touches his left thigh adductor and after consulting with the doctors he is forced to leave the field. Bad news for Baroni, who on Sunday is expected to face a very important challenge against Fiorentina. The Portuguese thus leaves the field in favor of Dele Bashiru, for a first half that ended without further rings. Lazio so ahead 3-0 when the first half of the match ends

Second half

The recovery begins with four new faces: in Lazio enter Pedro for Castilians, in Real Sociedad instead the team changes its face Sheriff: they enter Marine, Elustondo e barrenetxea, they go out oyarzabal, zubimendi e Kubo. As expected, ahead by a man and three goals in the score, the Biancocelesti manage possession, conceding little or nothing to their opponents, also slowing down the pace. The match thus loses its spectacularity, but removes any possible doubt about the game. Of note in the first quarter of an hour of the second half is the yellow card for Weather in Zaccagni and the following entries into the field of noslin e Tchaouna to detect the same number 10 and Isaac. 

The game continues like this without any further shocks, the Lazio constantly dribbles in the opponent's half of the field, without however going out of his way, always keeping the depth covered in case of a counterattack. If we add to this a team without any drive to accelerate the offensive operations, we have a completely blocked match. Both teams seem to be waiting for the time to pass, trying to get to the final whistle as soon as possible. The only changes to be reported are the entrance at 70' of Pacheco for Aguerd.

We thus enter the last quarter of an hour of the match, with the Lazio that gives some signs of life, a burst of adrenaline in a second half of nothing. In fact, on this occasion Pedro comes to a close after the beautiful play of noslin in the penalty area, but the Spanish player's right-footed shot hits only the crossbar, saving a fourth goal Remiro. At the end of the action he spends his last change Baroni: first team debut for Mahamadou Balde, young class of 2004, younger brother of Keita Baldé, also a former Lazio player, the boy takes over Day.

The match enters its last ten minutes with a dramatic twist. In fact, the defence of the Lazio and offers depth to the Basques, who are able to attack. Aramaburu on the missed disengagement he collects and shoots at goal: parried by mandas, which trembles on the head of barrenetxea and goal of 3-1 for the Real Sociedad. At least the boys of lighten the liabilities Sheriff, in a challenge where they have always only chased the Biancocelesti. The substance of the match, however, does not change and we return to the previous script, this time respected until the final whistle, without further shocks. Lazio wins 3-1 and with these three points obtains not only the pass to the eighth finals, but also the mathematical certainty of the primacy in the competition. The Basques instead will have to confirm their place in the top 24 of the competition on the last day.