Europa League: Lazio vs Porto, Player Ratings
The Europa League quarter-finals served up a thrilling clash between Lazio and Porto, two teams known for their attacking prowess. The game, played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, saw Lazio emerge victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to a late goal from Ciro Immobile. Here's a look at the player ratings from the match:
Lazio
Starting XI:
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Ivan Provedel (7.5): The Lazio goalkeeper was a key figure in their victory. He made several crucial saves, particularly in the second half, and was instrumental in maintaining their clean sheet.
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Manuel Lazzari (6.5): Lazzari provided a constant threat down the right flank with his pace and dribbling skills. He was able to create chances for his teammates and contributed defensively as well.
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Nicolò Casale (7.0): The young Italian defender was solid at the back, reading the game well and making vital interventions. He formed a formidable partnership with his centre-back partner.
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Patric (7.0): Another reliable performance from Patric, who was strong in the air and made crucial tackles to prevent Porto from breaking through. His experience in the heart of the Lazio defense proved invaluable.
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Adam Marusic (6.5): Marusic was a key part of Lazio's defensive solidity. He diligently tracked back and offered support to the backline while providing an outlet going forward.
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Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (7.0): The Serbian midfielder was a dominant presence in midfield, dictating the tempo of the game and controlling the flow of possession. His accurate passing and physicality helped Lazio maintain control.
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Luis Alberto (6.5): The Spanish playmaker was a constant threat with his clever passing and ability to find spaces between the Porto defenders. He was also instrumental in setting up chances for his teammates.
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Matías Vecino (6.0): Vecino provided a strong defensive presence in midfield, breaking up Porto attacks and offering a physical presence.
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Felipe Anderson (6.0): The Brazilian winger had a quiet game but showed flashes of his brilliance with his dribbling and pace. He was unlucky not to score on a few occasions.
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Ciro Immobile (7.5): The Italian striker was a constant thorn in Porto's side, making intelligent runs and working tirelessly to create chances. His late winning goal was a testament to his ability to seize opportunities.
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Pedro (6.0): Pedro was an energetic presence on the pitch, making important runs and creating space for his teammates.
Substitutes:
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Luka Romero (6.0): The young Argentinian winger came on in the second half and brought a fresh dimension to Lazio's attack. He showcased his technical ability and contributed to their attacking momentum.
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Marco Bertini (N/A): Bertini played a small role in the game and didn't have enough time to make a significant impact.
Porto
Starting XI:
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Diogo Costa (6.0): Diogo Costa had a mixed game. He made a few decent saves but could have done better on Immobile's winning goal.
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João Marcelo (6.0): Marcelo was solid defensively but lacked the offensive spark that characterized his previous performances.
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Pepe (6.5): The veteran defender was a calming influence in the heart of the Porto defense. He made several timely tackles and interceptions to thwart Lazio's attacks.
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Ivan Marcano (6.0): Marcano put in a decent performance but was caught out on a few occasions by Lazio's attacking players.
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Wendell (6.0): Wendell had a tough time against Lazio's attack, finding it difficult to contain Lazzari and Marusic. He was also less effective going forward.
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Eustáquio (6.5): The Brazilian midfielder was a key figure in Porto's midfield. He won possession and distributed the ball effectively, although his passing was slightly off on the night.
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Otávio (6.0): Otávio was a creative force for Porto in the early stages of the game, but his influence waned as Lazio gained control.
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Stephen Eustaquio (6.5): The Canadian midfielder put in a good performance, controlling possession and tackling effectively.
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Pepê (6.0): Pepê was lively in the first half but lacked the final product in the final third. He struggled to break through Lazio's organized defense.
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André Franco (6.0): Franco was a constant threat with his dribbling and passing skills but was unable to break through Lazio's defensive line.
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Mehdi Taremi (5.5): The Iranian forward was largely anonymous in the match, failing to make a significant impact in the final third.
Substitutes:
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Galeno (6.0): Galeno came on in the second half and injected some pace and dynamism into Porto's attack. He was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions.
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Evanilson (5.5): Evanilson failed to make a significant impact after coming on as a substitute.
Overall:
Lazio's victory was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. They were organized, disciplined, and effective in attack. Porto, on the other hand, struggled to break down Lazio's defense and missed a number of chances.
This victory has set Lazio up for a semi-final clash against the winner of the other quarter-final matchup. The Biancocelesti will be hoping to continue their impressive run in the Europa League.