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August 18, 2024
No player in Italian football needed a goal more than Taty Castellanos, who scored as Lazio kicked off the new Serie A season with a 3-1 comeback victory over Venezia, making a solid case for Marco Baroni’s side.
STADIO OLIMPICO (Rome): Marco Baroni’s Lazio tenure began on a high note as his side mounted an impressive 3-1 comeback victory over Venezia on a stiflingly hot and humid evening in the capital. This win not only provided the perfect start for the new coach but also set the tone for a season filled with hopes of returning to the upper echelons of Serie A.
Freshly promoted after a two-year absence from the top flight, Venezia showed they weren’t just there to make up the numbers.
Right from the kickoff, they stunned the home crowd. With just over two minutes on the clock, Magnus Andersen pounced on a careless mistake by Nicolo Rovella, intercepting a loose pass. Showing impeccable technique, Andersen struck a curling effort that flew into the top corner, leaving Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel with no chance. The Olimpico fell silent as Venezia celebrated a dream start, sending an early message that they were determined to make their return count.
Lazio, however, refused to be rattled. Just minutes after conceding, they responded with vigor. Their equalizer came through Taty Castellanos, the Argentine forward under immense pressure to deliver in the post-Ciro Immobile era. Castellanos capitalized on a defensive error by Michael Svoboda, stealing the ball off the lethargic Venezia defender on the edge of the box. He showed remarkable composure, calmly slotting the ball past the Venezia goalkeeper to bring Lazio level after just 11 minutes. It was a crucial goal for Castellanos, setting the stage for what could be a defining season for him.
Lazio continued to press as the game progressed, and their efforts were rewarded before halftime. The turning point came when newly-appointed captain Mattia Zaccagni stepped up to convert a penalty, putting Lazio ahead for the first time in the match. The decision came after Castellanos, ever-involved in Lazio’s attacks, was brought down in the box. Zaccagni, a player expected to take on more responsibility this season, made no mistake from the spot, sending the Venezia goalkeeper the wrong way and giving Lazio a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The second half saw Venezia attempting to claw their way back, but Lazio’s defense stood firm. The hosts controlled the game, dictating the tempo and creating several more chances. Their dominance was finally rewarded in the 80th minute when Manuel Lazzarri delivered a low, driven cross into the six-yard box. Under pressure, Venezia defender Giorgio Altare inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sealing the match for Lazio. Though it was credited as an own goal, Lazzarri’s pace and precision were crucial in forcing the mistake.
With this 3-1 victory, Baroni’s Lazio side secured three valuable points and made a statement of intent. It was a promising start to what will undoubtedly be a season of rebuilding and adjustment for the Biancocelesti as they look to move forward without their long-time talisman, Ciro Immobile.
At the beginning of Lazio’s post-Ciro Immobile era, all eyes were on Castellanos. Doubts about his ability to replace the club’s all-time top scorer were rampant.
In an inconsistent debut season, the Argentinian demonstrated his capacity to link up with teammates and initiate attacks. Still, his poor finishing often left him the target of criticism.
Baroni placed his trust in Castellanos for the season opener, and the striker delivered, not only silencing his critics but also fending off competition for his spot in the lineup.
Tijjani Noslin started on the right wing but, as we saw last season at Verona, can also make an impact through the middle. Meanwhile, Boulaye Dia remained on the Olimpico bench just two days after his highly anticipated move from Salernitana.
Few players needed a goal more than Castellanos on the opening weekend of Serie A. He delivered just 11 minutes in, intercepting a careless pass from Michael Svoboda on the edge of the box, setting himself up, and finishing with surprising composure.
Despite missing a header from eight yards that drew groans from the crowd, Castellanos quickly redeemed himself by winning the penalty that completed Lazio’s comeback. He then struck the woodwork twice in the second half.
When he was substituted with five minutes left, he received a warm ovation from the Olimpico crowd—an acknowledgment of his hard work and well-earned performance.
Whether this marks the beginning of Taty’s breakout second season remains to be seen. After all, a home match against Venezia is likely one of the more manageable fixtures this term.
However, he did what was needed to help this young, unpredictable Lazio side secure the winning start they desperately needed after a tumultuous 2023/24 campaign.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Latest Football News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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