After reaching the final of the previous edition, Lazio have already been eliminated from the Coppa Italia with an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Mantova at a virtually empty Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio Starting Lineup
With several players missing, Gennaro Gattuso tried to field his best available lineup, while maintaining Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation. Christos Mandas started in goal behind Adam Marusic, Danilho Doekhi, Oliver Provstgaard, and Alfonso Pedraza.
In midfield, Nicolo Rovella operated as a Regista, supported by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Kenneth Taylor, while Boulaye Dia led the attack, flanked by Matteo Cancellieri and Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni.
Lazio Waste Three Early Chances
The Biancocelesti started the game on a vibrant note, coming close to scoring thrice in the opening minutes. However, Dele-Bashiru’s deflected effort hit the post, while Dia squandered a glorious chance on the rebound, hitting it straight at the goalkeeper, Francesco Bardi.
A moment later, Pedraza picked up Cancellieri inside the box with a clever through ball. The winger fired a first-time shot, but it sailed just over the bar.
After this promising start, Lazio failed to create danger for the rest of the half, aside from a long-range effort from Dele-Bashiru that drew a save from the goalkeeper. On the contrary, Mantova gradually built momentum, testing Mandas on several occasions, but the Greek custodian was able to produce confident saves, denying Francesco Ruocco, Ettor Gliozzi, and Rares Ilie.
Cancellieri Fails to Score
Lazio regained control of the game after the restart, but they waited until the 67th to produce a genuine chance. Luca Pellegrini sent a cross from the left, which was redirected by Marusic towards the mouth of the goal. Cancellieri tried to meet it on the volley with an outstretched leg, but he couldn’t connect well with the ball, and the chance went begging.
Cancellieri then had another clear-cut chance after the hydration break, with Marusic delivering a sublime cross. However, the winger’s header whistled past the post.
Mantova Stun Lazio
With only 15 minutes left on the clock, the visitors snatched the lead against the run of play. Davide Bragantini made a run on the right flank before sending a cross to the mouth of the goal with the outside of his boot. Mandas dived to clear the danger, but Ruocco slipped past the backline to reach the ball first and put Mantova ahead.
Lazio pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Mandas joining the attack on a last-ditch corner kick. However, the Greek’s attacking foray instantly backfired, as Mantova scored the second on the counter courtesy of Ismael Cajazzo, who slotted the ball into the empty net.
Therefore, Gattuso’s tenure has begun on a nightmarish note. With no European football on the agenda, Lazio will solely play in Serie A for the next nine months.
Lazio 0-2 Mantova
Goals: 75′ Ruocco, 90’+5′ Cajazzo
Lazio (4-3-3): Mandas; Marusic, Doekhi, Provstgaard, Pedraza (Pellegrini 62′); Dele-Bashiru (Dele-Bashiru 71′), Rovella (Belahyane 80′), Taylor; Cancellieri (Noslin 80′), Dia (Ratkov 71′), Zaccagni.
Matova (3-4-2-1): Bardi; Tomasevic (56′ Meroni), Cella, Catellini; Silva (56′ Cajazzo), Trimboli, Ignacchiti (74′ Longonda), Benaissa (85′ Wieser); Ilie (56′ Bragantini), Ruocco; Gliozzi.
Referee: Giuseppe Mucera (Palermo section); Linesmen: Cortese – Gentile; 4th official: Guida; VAR: Camplone; AVAR: Giua.
Yellow cards: 22′ Tomasevic (M), 25′ Rovella (L), Dele-Bashiru (L), 79′ Cancellieri (L)