Rome, March 7. (Adnkronos) – Lazio defeated 2-1 at the Olimpico by the Dutch side Az Alkmaar in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Conference League. The Biancocelesti play a good match and take the lead, after wasting some good chances, in the 18th minute through Pedro: Felipe Anderson recovers an excellent ball in midfield and serves Zaccagni in the left lane: the Biancocelesti number 20 passes Sugawara and puts it inside where he finds Pedro who scores the 1-0 with a left-footed volley. Sarri’s team seems to be the master of the match but in the final, in the 45th minute AZ equalize the score with Pavlidis, able to score in the net with a great touch of right winger after a nice combination on the left. Angry reaction from Lazio and crossbar hit by Milinkovic-Savic in the 46th minute before the break.
At the start of the second half, Lazio tried again with Zaccagni and Milinkovic but then, after a mistake by the Serbian in midfield, they conceded the Dutch double, in the 62nd minute Kerkez scored from close range after Karlsson’s service and overturned the challenge. In the 73rd minute Lazio is still dangerous: Ryan blocks Luis Alberto badly, Felipe Anderson arrives on the ball but misses from a good position. Lazio still dangerous shortly after: Luis Alberto has the right opportunity at his feet, but he can’t find the time and AZ moves away. In the 80th minute another chance for the biancocelesti with Luis Alberto serving Felipe Anderson who spins his left foot but the ball goes just wide. Milinkovic also tries again in the final but the result does not unlock and Lazio will be forced to take the challenge in the return match in Holland.
