Lazio and Sampdoria drew 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night in Serie A.
A late second half header by substitute Alessandro Matri was cancelled out by a last minute equaliser by Ervin Zukanovic to the disbelief of the home crowd.
The hosts started brightly and had a good chance to take the lead after only eight minutes. Good work down the left by Antonio Candreva resulted in his cross finding Miroslav Klose in the penalty area, but the German headed over.
Stefano Pioli’s men continued to press and moments later midfielder Marco Parolo saw his shot from outside the box deflected over by the Samp defence. The resulting corner was headed over the bar by Santiago Gentiletti.
Midway though the half more good work by Candreva this time down the right, saw his cross find Klose once again in space in the box, but the veteran’s volley flew over the bar, much to the relief of Emiliano Viviano in the Blucerchiati goal.
Vincenzo Montella’s side finally broke out from their defensive shape and mustered a chance on the half hour. After some good work down the right, the ball ended up loose in the area and finally fell to Edgar Barreto, although his erratic shot flew wide with the goal at his mercy.
The second half started much as the first ended with both sides giving away possession, and it wasn’t until the hour mark that a decent chance was created.
Lazio won a free-kick just outside the area, but Candreva’s powerful effort just went wide of Viviano’s right hand post.
The home side finally broke the deadlock with 12 minutes remaining when substitute Matri accurately headed in a cross from Stefan Radu from the left flank.
With just a minute left on the clock, the away side grabbed an equaliser, as a powerful Zukanovic free-kick hit the back of the net.
Lazio now travel to face Inter on Sunday night, while Sampdoria face Palermo in Genoa.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com