By Jerry Mancini.
Lazio continue to impress this season after winning 1-0 against Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium.
The win extended their unbeaten streak to 18 games and they are now just one point behind leaders Inter and Juventus.
Their 18-game unbeaten streak is a new club record.
Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi has done a great job this season and after the match had encouraging words to say about his squad.
“The boys are playing exciting games,” said Inzaghi. “Four days after the match with Verona, the most physical, we were very good.
“The only downside was not to score the second goal that would have allowed us not to suffer in the last ten minutes. Parma then is well-coached by Roberto D’Aversa, the game was very difficult.”
Last year, Lazio had a hard time holding on to leads and lost out on a number of wins due to their poor defence.
This time around the club has shown an ability to hold on to leads as and have recorded eight clean sheets due to date.
“The secret is the spirit that brought us here, to reach 53 points after 23 games,” continued Inzaghi.
“There’s team spirit, the boys are great. What you [also] notice is the team spirit of those who play and those who don’t play. Tonight, [given how] he trains, [Jordan] Lukaku deserved to play.
“Then I have Denis Vavro, Bobby Adekanye, Joseph Minala, André Anderson and Djavan Anderson, who put a lot of time into preparing for games. [Silvio] Proto and [Guido] Guerrieri give sensational support.
“My first thought goes to the fans, it didn’t feel like I was playing away. People have always supported us, from the first minute to the last minute.”
Lazio came off just three days of rest and showed no signs of fatigue in the first half. The Biancocelesti created chances and owned most of the possession with Luis Alberto leading the way in the attack.
Luis Alberto is currently one of the most creative midfielders in Europe. Only Müller, Sancho, and De Bruyne have more assists in the ‘top 5’ leagues.
He deserves another chance for Spain. Article for @WorldFootballi https://t.co/oliYsnyPLt
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) February 8, 2020
He showed good poise and creativity in the midfield and he stepped up in the absence of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who was suspended for this match.
The Spaniard created many opportunities for the Biancocelesti and had chances of his own. Near the end of the first half, Lazio finally capitalized on their chance.
Alberto advanced the ball to the right side of the box and delivered a cross with Ciro Immobile redirecting the ball off his stomach towards Felipe Caicedo.
The Ecuadorian was left alone in the box and delivered a nice shot to score and give Lazio the 1-0 lead.
Alberto commented on the victory, stating to Sky Sports: “We cannot talk only about champions when we are less one from Juve.
“We’re there, we’re not stupid, but we have to fight to the end. It is true that Juve is highly favored, but we must at least try to annoy them with humility.”
Parma applied pressure in the second half. Lazio did well to prevent the Gialloblu from tying the game.
Juraj Kucka, Hernani Jr and Riccardo Gagliolo missed their chances in the second half for Parma who remain 10th.
Next weekend, Lazio welcome Inter Milan to the Stadio Olimpico which will be a pivotal match in the race for the Scudetto.
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