Latest news with #MatiasVecino
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Portugal Star To Return To Lazio Starting XI For Serie A Clash Vs Inter Milan – Attacking Shake-Up Also Expected
Portugal Star To Return To Lazio Starting XI For Serie A Clash Vs Inter Milan – Attacking Shake-Up Also Expected Nuno Tavares will come straight back into the Lazio starting eleven against Inter Milan. This according to today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They also report that Matias Vecino will start in attacking midfield. Advertisement Lazio travel to the San Siro to take on Inter Milan this evening. The penultimate match of the Serie A season will be huge for both teams. For the home side, three points will be essential to keep the pressure on Napoli in the title race. But for the Biancocelesti it is just as vital to get a result. Lazio find themselves in a fierce battle for the last remaining Champions League spot in the Serie A table. The Biancocelesti are level on points with Juventus. Meanwhile, the likes of Roma and Bologna are right behind them looking to capitalize on any slip-ups. Inter decimated Lazio 6-0 in the reverse fixture at the Stadio Olimpico in December. However, a much narrower 1-0 win in the Coppa Italia suggested that the gap is not really so large between the two teams on the pitch. Nuno Tavares To Start Inter Vs Lazio Serie A Clash – Vecino To Play In Attack ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Matias Vecino of SS Lazio kicks the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on November 24, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi –) Lazio coach Marco Baroni will have a few selection dilemmas. Advertisement One of the big ones concerns the fullback positions. Portuguese international Nuno Tavares is just coming back from injury. He has been out for more than a month with a hamstring problem. However, reports the Corriere, Tavares is back. Moreover, the newspaper anticipate, Baroni will put the former Arsenal and Benfica wingback straight back into the starting eleven. Therefore, Adam Marusic will shift over to the right flank, where Manuel Lazzari is absent. Meanwhile, the Corriere report, Gustav Isaksen will not be fit to start this evening's match. Therefore, the newspaper predict, there will be something of an attacking shakeup from Baroni. Pedro will start on the left, and Boulaye Dia will shift over to the left flank. Then, ex-Inter and Fiorentina midfielder Matias Vecino will play in an advanced role off of Taty Castellanos.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lazio snatch draw with 10-man Juventus in battle for top-four Serie A finish
Lazio's Matias Vecino equalising in the Italian Serie A match against Juventus at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on Italy on May 10, 2025. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Lazio substitute Matias Vecino struck a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Juventus in the battle for Champions League qualifying places in Serie A on Saturday. Juve broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Randal Kolo Muani, who nodded past goalkeeper Christos Mandas, before Vecino levelled with a header six minutes into added time. Juventus had defender Pierre Kalulu sent off on the hour mark for a foul on striker Taty Castellanos. With two games left, Juventus once more missed a chance to strengthen their grip on fourth place after they were held 1-1 by seventh-placed Bologna last weekend. Juve are now level on 64 points with Lazio in fifth and a point above sixth-placed AS Roma, who can move above them into fourth when they visit third-placed Atalanta (68) on Monday. Juventus have won only two of their last six league games. Lazio, who are on a seven-game unbeaten league run, had their first attempt on target through Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the third minute but his low effort at the near post was kept out by goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. The first half was largely short on action after that but following the break Weston McKennie crossed from the left and French forward Kolo Muani put the visitors in front. However, Igor Tudor's side were down to 10 men shortly afterwards when Kalulu was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Castellanos. Lazio were on the front foot from then on and Juve's Manuel Locatelli had to clear Pedro's effort with about 15 minutes left before Di Gregorio saved Mario Gila's header after a corner. The hosts were then awarded a penalty just before the end after Juventus keeper brought Castellanos down chasing after the ball near the goal line on the right side of the box. However, the referee reversed his decision after a VAR check showed the Argentina forward was offside. Di Gregorio then made another great save to keep out a Castellanos header late in added time but had no chance when Vecino pounced on a rebound to score from close range. Juve were still without suspended striker Kenan Yildiz and only had nine players on the bench, with midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and defender Andrea Cambiaso also out injured. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Capello: ‘Stupid' Kalulu red card cost Juventus, ‘St. Gasperini' favour needed
Fabio Capello believes that Juventus were on course for victory against Lazio on Saturday up until a 'stupid' red card from centre-back Pierre Kalulu, which has cost Bianconeri control of the race for a Champions League spot and leaves them needing a favour from 'St. Gasperini'. Juventus finished level at 1-1 against Lazio in Serie A on Saturday. Though they had led from a 51st minute Randal Kolo Muani strike, the Old Lady were reduced to 10 men after an hour and conceded a demoralising Matias Vecino equaliser in the 96th minute. ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Matias Vecino of Lazio scores his team's first goal as Michele Di Gregorio fails to make a save during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) As things stand on Sunday morning, Juventus are still in fourth, level on points with Lazio in fifth (both on 64), while Roma (63 points) are due to play against third-placed Atalanta on Monday. Advertisement Juventus will be hoping that Roma do not beat Gian Piero Gasperini's side, as that will cost them fourth place with just two Serie A games of the season remaining. Capello: Juventus victory 'ruined' by 'stupid' Kalulu red Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello feels that Juve's performance against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico was 'ruined' by Kalulu's red card, which he feels would not have even been sent for a VAR check in the Premier League. 'The game was ruined by Kalulu's sending off. Juventus started looking determined, they created dangerous situations for Lazio,' Capello told the Pink Paper. ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Pierre Kalulu leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) 'The Bianconeri paid for Kalulu's stupid gesture. But these days the players throw themselves on the ground and hope for VAR, which, unfortunately, often rewards them. In England, they wouldn't have even taken this incident under consideration. Advertisement 'The Frenchman's red card changed the game and in the end, Lazio's siege was rewarded with Vecino's equaliser in the 96th minute.' Capello was also asked which team he thinks benefited most from the 1-1 draw between Lazio and Juventus on Saturday, to which he replied: 'Those who are chasing, like Roma. Now Juventus no longer have the ball in their court. They must hope for Atalanta and St. Gasperini against the Giallorossi.'
Reuters
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Juve boss Tudor rues late lapse but hails team's mentality in Lazio draw
May 10 (Reuters) - Juventus manager Igor Tudor was left frustrated but praised his team's effort after they were denied victory by a last-gasp Matias Vecino header in a 1-1 draw at Lazio in Serie A on Saturday in the race for Champions League qualification. Randal Kolo Muani put the fourth-placed visitors in front early in the second half only for the momentum to swing towards Lazio, who are level with Juve on 64 points in fifth, after Pierre Kalulu was shown a straight red card on the hour mark. Reduced to 10 men, Juve defended doggedly until Vecino's equaliser deep in stoppage time left Tudor ruing another costly lapse. "We have to congratulate the lads, there is regret because we were one minute away from taking home the three points," Tudor told reporters. "It was a solid performance, we'll take this point and focus on everyone we'll face this week after the difficulties we've had." Juve and Lazio are a point above sixth-placed AS Roma, who can move above them both into fourth spot when they visit third-placed Atalanta, who have 68 points, on Monday. Asked about the dismissal of 24-year-old Kalulu – his first career red card, just like 20-year-old Kenan Yildiz's in their previous home match – Tudor pointed to the inexperience of a young squad still learning under pressure. "Definitely, age and pressure go hand in hand and without experience it can happen," the Croatian coach said. "We paid for these mistakes, but you learn quickly and look ahead." Tudor also addressed his decision to take off substitutes Vasilije Adzic and Francisco Conceicao for Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Gatti respectively, a move that raised eyebrows. "I have to explain (the substitutions) because they're always made for the good of the team," he said. "I apologised to the two players – I don't usually do that – but it was the right change. "Gatti, in particular, deserves praise. He came off the bench without a single training session and showed his leadership." With injuries mounting in defence ahead of Juve's game at home to Udinese next week, Tudor remained calm and focused on the task. "We'll prepare as best we can with what we have, but we're ready," he said. "Let's see who recovers – we are missing three defenders. We'll get Yildiz back and assess the others. "Today we showed the mentality of a big team – and we'll need that again in the next two weeks."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baroni: ‘Lazio are alive, kicking and will fight to the end' for top 4
Baroni: 'Lazio are alive, kicking and will fight to the end' for top 4 Marco Baroni heaps praise upon Lazio game changer Matias Vecino after the 1-1 draw with Juventus, insisting the team is 'alive, kicking and will fight to the end' for fourth place. It was a chaotic encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Aquile were trailing to a Randal Kolo Muani header and threw everything forward after Pierre Kalulu saw red on the hour mark for lashing out at Taty Castellanos. Advertisement They poured forward and had a penalty awarded, then taken away due to an offside position, until Vecino finally bundled over the line from point-blank range at the 96th minute. ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Fans of Lazio display a Tifo prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lazio 1-1 Juventus 'The first half was tense from both teams, unfortunately we made one mistake and paid for it, but the side kept cool, put in 29 crosses and if we had equalised earlier, then we might've gone on to win,' Baroni told DAZN. 'I am pleased with the performance, naturally not the result because we wanted to win, but the team is alive, kicking, and will fight to the end.' Advertisement This result means Lazio and Juventus remain locked together on 64 points, but could be leapfrogged by Roma on Monday, or see the chasing pack close the gap, as the fight for Champions League qualification is going down to the wire. Baroni and Lazio still in the battle for top four ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Marco Baroni, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) 'We are on a strong journey and when we are still in the fight for fourth at this stage of the season, it means we've made progress. We missed a few home wins, but the performances have been strong and the team feels the energy in this stadium,' insisted Baroni. 'We want to go all the way, absolutely.' Lazio have shown a marked tendency to concede goals straight after the restart and it happened again today, where they came out for the second half without the right attitude. ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Matias Vecino of Lazio celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Matteo Guendouzi during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) Baroni made a bold move by taking off Nicoló Rovella, who was visibly angry at the decision, to introduce Matias Vecino. Advertisement 'I think Vecino is an extraordinary player with such character and determination. I also like the way he plays the role in midfield, he times the runs perfectly. I would've made that change even if we hadn't been against 10 men. 'Vecino raises the tempo, he is a player who can find those solutions. We wanted to stretch Juventus out, because they sit deep and then hurt you on the counter-attack. We had a game plan and that included the introduction of players who would give us more pace in attack. 'The real disappointment is that mistake on their goal, that is where we have regrets.' Does the Lazio coach still stand with his decision to start Fisayo Dele-Bashiru rather than Boulaye Dia? 'We had to limit Locatelli, but at the same time I knew Dele-Bashiru could cause problems with his pace running in behind, and it did work a few times where we found our way through,' concluded Baroni.
