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Played
December 18, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: P. Mazzoleni
Attendance: 30000
December 18, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: P. Mazzoleni
Attendance: 30000
Top of the Match
Miroslav Klose
Lazio
Lazio
Senad Lulic
Lazio
Lazio
Flop of the Match
Luis Pedro Cavanda
Lazio
Lazio
Mobido Diakite
Lazio
Lazio
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Lazio 2-2 Udinese: Pinzi equalizer ensures points are shared
Both sides could not be split after a pulsating encounter in Rome, but Edy Reja will arguably be the more disappointed coach as the Biancoceleste failed to secure the victory.
By Livio Caferoglu
Lazio and Udinese recorded a share of the spoils in Serie A on Sunday, after the sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Olimpico.
Antonio Floro Flores broke the deadlock for the visitors midway through the first half, but Senad Lulic and Miroslav Klose put the game in the home team's favor. However, Giampiero Pinzi's late strike ensured the Zebrette left the Italian capital with point.
The match unsurprisingly started in favor of Lazio, as Udinese initially struggled to match the fluency of its host and was forced to settle for a cagey start. Eyebrows were also raised upon the discovery of the team sheets, as Edy Reja opted for a three man back line.
However, the Zebrette worked hard to deny Edy Reja's side from carving out any noteworthy attempts, with only a Cristian Ledesma snapshot to show for their efforts, and they eventually earned a reprieve for their spirited approach on 27 minutes.
Giampiero Pinzi managed to find Giovanni Pasquale in bundles of space down the left side, and the former Inter wing back proceeded to whip an inch-perfect ball onto the head of Floro Flores, who broke through Andre Dias and Stefan Radu to nod home.
Lazio was not prepared to sit back for too long though, as Lulic capitalized on lackadaisical defending from Dusan Basta, who failed to close down his Bosnian counterpart, and struck a low shot past Samir Handanovic with time on his side.
It went from bad to worse for Francesco Guidolin's side after the interval as Tommaso Rocchi glanced a cross into the path of Klose, who slammed the ball on the volley from close range on 51 minutes.
Hernanes' introduction to the match sparked more potential openings for Lazio, which now had the initiative, and he almost made an instant impact upon his arrival after feeding through Klose with a defense splitting through ball, but the German couldn't beat Handanovic one-on-one.
Udinese had an ace in the pack of its own in Antonio Di Natale, who was thrown on by Guidolin, and his fantastic awareness allowed him to find an onrushing Pinzi who charged into the box and slipped the ball under Federico Marchetti to restore parity with 17 minutes spare.
The remaining 15 minutes saw an influx of attacking verve from the home side, but it could not find the elusive winner. Giuseppe Sculli and Rocchi both had great chances to bag the three points for Lazio, but Handanovic was on hand each and every time.
Alvaro Gonzalez could have netted the winner for the Biancocelesti in injury time, but he came agonizingly close from making contact with a low cross in the box, as Lazio sits in fourth place. Udinese, meanwhile, finds itself in third.
Antonio Floro Flores broke the deadlock for the visitors midway through the first half, but Senad Lulic and Miroslav Klose put the game in the home team's favor. However, Giampiero Pinzi's late strike ensured the Zebrette left the Italian capital with point.
The match unsurprisingly started in favor of Lazio, as Udinese initially struggled to match the fluency of its host and was forced to settle for a cagey start. Eyebrows were also raised upon the discovery of the team sheets, as Edy Reja opted for a three man back line.
However, the Zebrette worked hard to deny Edy Reja's side from carving out any noteworthy attempts, with only a Cristian Ledesma snapshot to show for their efforts, and they eventually earned a reprieve for their spirited approach on 27 minutes.
Giampiero Pinzi managed to find Giovanni Pasquale in bundles of space down the left side, and the former Inter wing back proceeded to whip an inch-perfect ball onto the head of Floro Flores, who broke through Andre Dias and Stefan Radu to nod home.
Lazio was not prepared to sit back for too long though, as Lulic capitalized on lackadaisical defending from Dusan Basta, who failed to close down his Bosnian counterpart, and struck a low shot past Samir Handanovic with time on his side.
It went from bad to worse for Francesco Guidolin's side after the interval as Tommaso Rocchi glanced a cross into the path of Klose, who slammed the ball on the volley from close range on 51 minutes.
Hernanes' introduction to the match sparked more potential openings for Lazio, which now had the initiative, and he almost made an instant impact upon his arrival after feeding through Klose with a defense splitting through ball, but the German couldn't beat Handanovic one-on-one.
Udinese had an ace in the pack of its own in Antonio Di Natale, who was thrown on by Guidolin, and his fantastic awareness allowed him to find an onrushing Pinzi who charged into the box and slipped the ball under Federico Marchetti to restore parity with 17 minutes spare.
The remaining 15 minutes saw an influx of attacking verve from the home side, but it could not find the elusive winner. Giuseppe Sculli and Rocchi both had great chances to bag the three points for Lazio, but Handanovic was on hand each and every time.
Alvaro Gonzalez could have netted the winner for the Biancocelesti in injury time, but he came agonizingly close from making contact with a low cross in the box, as Lazio sits in fourth place. Udinese, meanwhile, finds itself in third.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker Milan |
28 | 10 |
|
Diego Alberto Milito
Striker Inter |
24 | 8 |
|
Antonio Di Natale
Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
|
Edinson Cavani
Striker Napoli |
23 | 3 |
|
R. Palacio
Striker Genoa |
19 | 3 |