Mauro Zarate Shines As Lazio Defeat Spal In Friendly

Today Lazio played their third friendly of this pre-season against Lega Pro Prima Divisione (formerly Serie C1) side Spal at the Auronzo di Cadore sporting center.

Davide Ballardini's side played in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Pasquale Foggia, Goran Pandev, and Mourad Meghni behind lone striker Tommaso Rocchi.

The first half was largely uneventful, although Lazio did create a few half-chances. In the fifth minute Pandev and Rocchi played a nice one-two, which was finalised by a shot from the Italian striker that was well-saved by the goalkeeper.

Six minutes later, Lazio midfielder Cristian Ledesma played in a nice ball for Pandev, who fired a volley after letting the ball bounce, but the shot was scuffed and could easily be saved by the keeper.

In the 15th minute, Foggia made a great run on the right wing, played a one-two with Meghni, who was put in front of the keeper by Pandev, but again the goalkeeper stood in the way with a fine diving save on the Frenchman's shot.

The first half disappointingly finished goalless. At half-time, Ballardini made four changes, inserting new goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri for Fernando Muslera, Cristian Brocchi for Ousmane Dabo, and Mauro Zarate for Rocchi.

It was especially this last change that had a positive effect on Lazio. The Argentinean was a constant threat to Spal's defence, and just minutes into the second half he hit the crossbar after a great run on the right wing.

In the 52nd minute, Zarate brought the Serie A campaigners in front, finalising a nice team move involving Foggia, Pandev, and Brocchi with a shot from the penalty spot, although he was in a dubious position.

After this goal, chances start to come thick and fast for Lazio. Pandev twice saw efforts saved by the goalkeeper, and on the hour mark Zarate tried an audacious lob which ended up going just wide.

Around the 75th minute, Zarate again showed great skill to cut inside from the right and send in a precise cross for Radu, who incredibly fired the ball wide from a great position.

With ten minutes to go, Spal had their first big chance of the match, but Cazzanielli sent the ball wide from a very favourable position. However, right after that Lazio scored their second goal, Pandev making it 2-0 with a clinical shot from inside the area that went in just inside the post.

Spal managed a consolation goal in the 87th minute, Martucci slotting in the ball from inside the area on a cross from the left.

The match finished 2-1 to Ballardini's men. Probably the most useful indication for the coach was that Mauro Zarate is an absolutely vital element in the team, as Lazio barely managed to create chances in the first half, while in the second it was a completely different story.

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com