Lazio’s Bid for Serie A Top Four Falters with Draw Against Udinese

Both Lazio and Udinese continued their unbeaten runs in Serie A, with each extending them to six matches after a 1-1 stalemate in the capital. However, the Biancocelesti missed the opportunity to capitalise on Juventus’ misstep and leap into the top four.

Despite both teams showcasing solid form recently, the match started off rather lacklustre, with Lazio failing to demonstrate why they were favoured pre-match. Udinese managed a couple of efforts on goal and capitalised on a counter-attack to score the opening goal.

Florian Thauvin surged forward and had his effort saved by Ivan Provedel. Lorenzo Lucca then acrobatically redirected the rebound back into the six-yard box, allowing Thauvin to react promptly and slam it home.

However, the home side responded admirably. Although Maduka Okoye came up with a brilliant save to deny Mattia Zaccagni, it proved to be a short reprieve as Lazio equalised shortly after the half-hour mark. A corner from Gustav Isaksen was cleverly flicked on by Matias Vecino, and Alessio Romagnoli was there to bundle it home at the far post, marking his first top-flight goal in two years to go alongside his Europa League strike from midweek.

As a result, Udinese missed the opportunity for a fourth successive clean sheet for the first time since 2012 and appeared susceptible to conceding more goals as the second half began.

Hassane Kamara made a brilliant interception to deny Zaccagni a clear shot at goal before Okoye was called into action again, this time facing a fierce effort from substitute Tijjani Noslin.

A change in midfield helped Udinese regain some control and mount a final challenge during an engaging conclusion to the match.

In the end, neither team was able to secure a winning goal, with Lazio unable to repeat their consecutive last-gasp victories from their previous outings.

Udinese remains in fine form, having already surpassed their points tally from last season and sitting just seven points away from their highest total since 2013.

Lazio, meanwhile, will return to this venue in just three days to try and maintain their first-leg lead against Viktoria Plzen, a feat achieved remarkably while down to nine men in their last encounter.