Lazio Bitton By Tiny Margins
Another dramatic European night under the lights saw Celtic record a rare Italian win from behind – a resonant scenario.
After last minute defeat, Lazio are probably still shaking their heads as to how they lost. On an equal share of possession and outshot 14-9, they nevertheless created the better chances. Six shots on target including 3 Big Chances saw them edge the xG values 1.741 – 1.61.
It was on the counter attack where Lazio flourished. Celtic had 22 possessions in the opposition box to 11 by the Romans. Creating chances on the break usually means better chances. One goal for Lazzari followed a length of the pitch sprint from the scorer. Marker Bolingoli can reflect why he couldn’t match this endeavour.
But even more stark than the counter attacking was the aggression both teams brought in attempting to play through the lines. Over the last two seasons the average Celtic match has 82 Pack Passes – forward passes that take out at least one opponent. There were 146 in this match, 28 more than the next highest – Celtic vs Hibernian in February 2019. It was a high stakes poker game in style.
It is very rare Celtic are out packed at home. The exceptionally talented Leipzig and Salzburg sides managed it last season. This was a very good Lazio side.
They were happy to go long and diagonal. With two strong but hugely skilled forwards in Correa and Caicedo they were not going to run away from Celtic. But with the towering Milinkovic-Savic supplementing, they had a mix of passing verve, skill and strength.
Celtic had to be wary but as often in these games it came down to small margins. Forster produced two world class saves. The last gaps paw to Cataldi’s incredible full-blooded volley got the focus. However, it is the point blank save with the foot from Parolo’s shot in the 80th minute that was the more remarkable. With Cataldi’s volley, Forster was positioned on the right side of the goal and had time to react. Parolo’s effort was from inside the 6-yard box with miniscule reaction time. The wall rebuilt.
Celtic’s winning goal – and who doesn’t love a last-minute winner, from a corner! – also owed to a tiny margin. Bitton can be seen ushering Jullien in behind him and to the right. Bitton messes up Bastos, his marker, whilst simultaneously blocking Acerbi, Jullien’s man, allowing the Frenchman a free towering McNeill-esque conquering header.
It was a classic blocking move by the Israeli, copied from the basketball court perhaps. And it delivered another lasting European memory.
For the return Celtic should be under no illusions they are up against a very good side, however.