Zurich 1-1 Lazio: Poor finishing consigns Italians to third successive Group D draw

Lazio’s disappointing Europa League campaign continued with a third successive Group Stage draw against Zurich. Giuseppe Sculli gave the Roman side the lead, but less than a minute later, Adrian Nicki struck for the hosts to ensure a share of the points.

An even start to the game saw both sides register large periods of possession, but neither created any clear cut chances until half way through the first period, when the hosts’ indecisive defending from a Hernanes corner allowed Giuseppe Sculli to volley his side into the lead.

Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game

Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets!

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25

Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200

Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20!

Lazio had barely finished celebrating when they found themselves on level terms. Within a minute of the goal, Alphonse fed Adrian Nicki, who exquisitely side-footed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Conceding so soon after scoring left the Italians visibly shaken. Senad Lulic almost puts the hosts ahead with a header that trickled narrowly wide of his own goal, before Federico Marchetti got down well to palm Ludovic Magnin’s free-kick away, ensuring the score was even at the break.

After the interval, Lazio attacked with renewed vigour. Hernanes and Djibril Cisse forced impressive saves from Andrea Guatelli, but at the other end, the Italians remained vulnerable.

Unforgiveable defending from Stefan Radu gifted Alphonse the ball, but the Guadeloupe international sent a scuffed shot wide when he should have put his side ahead.

As full-time approached, Lazio began to probe for a winner, but were ultimately frustrating in front of goal. Libor Kozak miscued a Hernanes free-kick when a slight touch would have put his side ahead, before forcing a sprawling save from Marchetti.

In the end it was not to be. A draw leaves these sides level with Vaslui, some seven points behind Sporting Lisbon, who defeated the Romanians 2-0 in Portugal.