On the sixth matchday of Serie A, Lazio beat a strong Monza side 3-1. Despite being reduced to ten men in the second half, the visitors came close to equalising several times and almost pulled off a sensational comeback.
The match got off to a difficult start for the Brianzoli, as at 3' Tavares took aim and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner. Juric protested over a foul on Folorunsho in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand. Lazio tried to capitalise on their early momentum and at 5' Noslin had another attempt, but Tornqvist saved his low left-footed shot. Monza responded by relying on the class of Zeballos, who moved freely across the attacking line. However, the biancocelesti defence held firm and allowed little space. At 18', Lazio threatened again through former player Frattesi, whose header went wide. Monza refused to back down and at 19' equalised through Varela, but the 1-1 goal was ruled out for offside against the Portuguese forward. Akinsanmiro's excellent run before the number 9's finish was nevertheless worth highlighting. Lazio survived the scare and doubled their lead at 23'. This time, Isaksen scored with a left-footed finish, making the most of Noslin's assist and finding the bottom corner at the far post to make it 2-0. Monza still refused to give up, and at 28' Birindelli tried his luck from distance, sending the ball over the bar. At 32', Mangas advanced down the left and delivered a dangerous cross, which Zeballos narrowly failed to turn in to make it 2-1. Juric's side continued to press and came close to scoring again just seconds later. Folorunsho crossed into the box, where Mangas rose at the far post to head the ball towards goal, but Mandas gathered it. Monza were very much in the game, but at 35' an incident further shifted the match in Lazio's favour. First, Birindelli went down in the penalty area after coming into contact with Noslin. The visitors appealed for a penalty, but Lazio immediately launched a counterattack, and during the move Collu showed Lucchesi a straight red card for pulling back Tavares as he raced towards goal. The biancorossi protested furiously but were left with ten men. Juric took Ngonge off and brought on Goglichidze. At half-time, Lazio led 2-0.
Monza began the second half with three substitutions, bringing on Dany Mota, Foe Ondoa and Maye. The biancorossi made a superb start to the second period and, after just 44 seconds, scored through Goglichidze, who was ready to head home from close range after Dany Mota flicked on Birindelli's corner. It was a dream debut for the Georgian defender, whose goal reignited the match and rewarded the visitors' fighting spirit. Monza were now unstoppable and at 50' came within inches of making it 2-2. Foe Ondoa played a magnificent through ball to Mangas, who raced down the left before cutting the ball back for Dany Mota to strike first time from a seemingly certain scoring position. Mandas managed to turn the ball behind for a corner, albeit with some difficulty. Lazio struggled to escape the biancorossi's pressure and at 55' came close to conceding the equaliser once again. Dany Mota launched a rapid counterattack and picked out Birindelli's run, with the latter coming close to scoring with a right-footed diagonal shot that went just wide. It was one-way traffic, as Monza continued to create chances despite being down to ten men. At 56', Varela controlled the ball and shot, only for an opposing defender to produce a crucial deflection for a corner. From Birindelli's resulting corner, the outstanding Dany Mota rose to head the ball towards goal, but Mandas pulled off a miraculous save to keep his side in the game. At 70', Juric made his final forced substitution, bringing on Bakoune for the injured Mangas. After enduring a difficult second half, Lazio finally tested Tornqvist again at 77', when the goalkeeper flew across his goal to turn Belahyane's powerful strike behind for a corner. Monza resumed their search for an equaliser and at 82' Maye came close with a long-range left-footed shot after a superb run.
The closing stages remained wide open. At 83', Tornqvist produced a fantastic save to deny Zaccagni's first-time right-footed effort. At 86', Isaksen struck the post with a close-range left-footed touch. Lazio's third goal arrived at 88', however, when Pinamonti poked the ball home from a cross delivered from the left. Monza refused to give up even then, and at 89' Dany Mota came close to scoring with a header. The home side tried to exploit the inevitable spaces opening up in the closing stages, and at 90' Isaksen looked set to score his second goal with a header, but Kouadio produced a magnificent goal-line clearance.
The match ended 3-1 to Lazio, who remained at the top of the table alongside Inter. Monza, however, left the pitch with their heads held high. In the next round, the biancorossi will host Cagliari on Monday, 19th October, at 6:30 PM at the Brianteo Stadium.
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