Radamel Falcao inspired Los Rojiblancos register a convincing win after coming from behind at Stadio Olimpico Rome
Atletico Madrid down http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 by 3-1 in first of the two-legged tie of the last 32 round of UEFA Europa League at Stadio Olimpico Rome on Thursday, February 16.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miroslav-Klose-c26049 scored the only goal of the game for Biancocelesti.
Edy Reja made several changes to his starting line-up, and handed starts to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Candreva-c6299. Klose started upfront in a 4-5-1 formation for the hosts.
On the other hand, Diego Simeone also made wholesale changes to his team. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701 and Falcao started upfront in a 4-4-2 system.
The visitors almost got off to a perfect start, as Falcao had a lovely opportunity to take the lead in the first minute. The former Porto star met a lovely pass from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Koke-c21262 before rifling his shot over the bar.
Atletico Madrid dominated the early possession, but it was the host’s who took the lead against the run of play. Candreva’s powerful effort from 25 yards was spilled by visiting goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, and Klose tapped home
from close range to make it 1-0 for Lazio.
The visitors found themselves on level terms six minutes later, as Falcao’s header fell into the path of Adrian, who blasted a volley outside of his right boot to make it 1-1.
The Spanish side had their tails up after the equaliser, and could have taken the lead but Falcao’s rocket strike was punched clear by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Federico-Marchetti-c13477.
The Colombian international looked a serious threat for the Italian side, as he met a lovely pass from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 before drilling a low-shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Diego Simeone’s side was over the moon after taking the
lead and scoring two crucial away goals.
Edy Reja looked extremely upset with his team’s defending, as they went into the break trailing by a goal. The capital side made a change during the break, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giuseppe-Biava-c15020 was taken off in favour of Stankevicius.
The Biancazzurri looked to make immediate amends after the break, but Candreva missed the target with his shot after a lovely build-up from Matuzalem and Klose. Moments later, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hernanes-c16150 had an effort saved by Courtois after the
Brazilian made a lovely run in the box.
Lazio looked a better side in the second-half, but they were once again made to pay for their poor defending. Adrian Lopez skipped past the host defenders before laying the ball to Falcao, who prodded home close range to make it
3-1 for Los Rojiblancos. The visitors were overjoyed after taking a mammoth away leg lead.
Atletico looked extremely dangerous after taking a two-goal lead, and came close to scoring on numerous occasions. The Roman side looked down and out after conceding the third goal and could not spark a comeback, as they suffered
humiliation at home.
Scorers: Klose 19 (L), Adrian 25 (AM), Falcao 36, 63 (AM)
Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Diakite, Biava (Stankevicius 46), Zauri; Ledesma (Zampa 84), Matuzalem; Gonzalez (Kozak 54), Hernanes, Candreva; Klose
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabi-c14252; Adrian (Perea 66), Diego (Arda 73), Koke; Falcao
The second-leg of the tie will be played at Estadio http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon on Thursday, February 23rd.
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