In a dramatic Coppa Italia semi-final, Lazio has secured their place in the final against Inter Milan, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Edoardo Motta. After a 1-1 draw in the second leg, which resulted in a 3-3 aggregate score, Lazio triumphed 2-1 in the penalty shootout. Motta was the star of the show, saving four consecutive penalties to deny Atalanta a spot in the final.
The first leg of the tie, held on March 4th in Rome, concluded in a 2-2 draw, setting the stage for a highly anticipated return leg in Bergamo. Atalanta was without Isak Hien, while Lazio missed Nicolò Rovella, Ivan Provedel, Samuel Gigot, and Alessio Furlanetto. However, Lazio welcomed back Adam Marusic, a player who had recently contributed to their surprise 2-0 Serie A victory over Napoli.
The match in Bergamo was a tense affair. Early in the game, Mario Gila made a crucial defensive intervention to stop Nikola Krstovic. Nicola Zalewski also had a close call, narrowly missing a cross. Gila continued to be a defensive force, blocking a volley from Zalewski. Despite a strong start from Atalanta, their dominance waned towards the end of the first half.
Following the restart, Motta was tested by Krstovic, who combined effectively with Charles De Ketelaere. Unfortunately, Lorenzo Bernasconi sustained a knee injury after a tackle from Patric. Tijjani Noslin’s shot was blocked, but Atalanta eventually found the net amidst a chaotic sequence. A handball by Gila was considered, but VAR ultimately disallowed the goal. The referee reviewed the incidents, determining that Gila’s arm was unintentionally struck by the ball, and that Krstovic had fouled the goalkeeper. Lazio also had penalty appeals turned down when Scalvini’s arm was hit by the ball under pressure from Noslin, a situation deemed similar to Gila’s.
The match saw further action, with Gila leaving the field due to an ankle sprain. De Ketelaere’s shot was saved, and Mario Pasalic made a vital block on Noslin. Lazio then took the lead in the 84th minute. From a Zaccagni corner, Alessio Romagnoli managed to hold off Berat Djimsiti and volley the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Atalanta responded almost immediately, equalizing just two minutes later. Krstovic laid the ball off for Pasalic, whose shot took a deflection off Kenneth Taylor and found the net, wrong-footing Motta.
The game remained open, with Ederson’s cross-shot going wide and Motta making a spectacular fingertip save in stoppage time to deny Gianluca Scamacca’s header, pushing it onto the post. With the aggregate score tied at 3-3, the match proceeded to extra time.
In the 96th minute, Atalanta thought they had taken the lead when Giacomo Raspadori headed home a Zappacosta cross, but VAR ruled Zappacosta offside in the build-up. Both teams were granted a sixth substitution in extra time. Pasalic missed a good opportunity, and Scamacca headed wide as Atalanta pressed Lazio. However, Lazio also posed a threat on the counter-attack, with Romagnoli narrowly missing a free-kick.
The tie was decided by a penalty shootout. Nuno Tavares’s opening penalty for Lazio was saved by Marco Carnesecchi, but Motta equalized by saving Scamacca’s attempt. Danilo Cataldi hit the post, and Motta then saved from Zappacosta, allowing Gustav Isaksen to score for Lazio. Motta’s incredible four consecutive saves ultimately sealed Lazio’s victory and their place in the Coppa Italia final.
Atalanta 1-1 Lazio aet (3-3 agg, 1-2 pens)
Goals: Romagnoli 84′ (L), Pasalic 86′ (A)
Penalties: Raspadori (A, scored), Nuno Tavares (L, saved), Scamacca (A, saved), Cataldi (L, missed), Zappacosta (A, saved), Isaksen (L, scored), Pasalic (A, saved), Taylor (L, scored), De Ketelaere (A, saved)