Lazio vs Atletico Madrid
In the closing stages of Lazio’s Champions League Group E encounter against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, keeper Ivan Provedel secured a critical point for his club at home. Provedel’s equaliser earned the Serie A team a 1-1 tie.
After traveling up the pitch for a last-ditch corner, the goalie headed home a cross from Luis Alberto with one of the game’s final touches five minutes into stoppage time. The result of the first-ever Champions League meeting between Lazio and Atletico resulted in Feyenoord seizing the group lead, owing to their 2-0 victory against Celtic in a simultaneous encounter on Tuesday.
Provider became the first custodian to score in a Champions League encounter since Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama did so 13 years ago for Hapoel Tel Aviv, and only the fourth overall.
“It’s a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Provedel said to UEFA.com.
We were able to tie a game that we didn’t deserve to lose, which makes me extra happy. I haven’t realized I scored in the Champions League yet.
Sometimes in sports, situations matter more than performances. I regret that we had to notch an equalizer so late. I hope the point gives us motivation and enthusiasm, he said.
Atletico’s Pablo Barrios opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a first-time drive from long range that bounced off defender Daichi Kamada, utterly surprising Provider.
Lazio dominated the first half, with Mattia Zaccagni testing Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a thunderous free-kick over the wall. The Slovenian, on the other hand, deflected it into a corner.
After the break, Atletico Madrid almost doubled their advantage when Alvaro Morata hit the post, while Provedel made several tight saves to keep Lazio in the game.
Ciro Immobile attempted to equalize for the Romans early in the second half, but he wasted a fantastic opportunity when he found himself free on goal and prodded the ball directly at Oblak. Oblak came to Atletico’s aid in stoppage time, tipping Danilo Cataldi’s long-range rocket around the base of the post.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was pleased with the result.”We played well, and there were plenty of clear scoring chances in the second half.” We fought bravely and extremely well-prepared. Despite the last-second goal, I’m left with a nice feeling.”
The 53-year-old Argentine, who last won the Italian championship with Lazio in 2000, made an emotional return to the Olimpico, where banners greeted him with the statement, “Your home will always be Lazio and Rome.” It’s nice to have you back.
“The fans are incredible,” remarked Simeone. Not only when the game started, but also when I first entered the stadium, “I was overcome with emotion.”
On October 4, Lazio will travel to Glasgow to face Celtic. On the same day, Atletico Madrid will face Feyenoord.