Alessandro Matri’s goal saw Lazio conclude their Europa League group unbeaten, earning a 1-1 away to Saint-Etienne.
The Aquile had already secured top spot in the group thanks to a draw and four consecutive victories, but were in dire straits in Serie A and badly in need of a confidence booster. Stefan de Vrij, Ricardo Kishna, Senad Lulic, Stefano Mauri and Eddy Onazi were injured with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Stefan Radu and Keita Balde Diao suspended.
Alessandro Matri’s goal saw Lazio conclude their Europa League group unbeaten, earning a 1-1 away to Saint-Etienne.
The Aquile had already secured top spot in the group thanks to a draw and four consecutive victories, but were in dire straits in Serie A and badly in need of a confidence booster. Stefan de Vrij, Ricardo Kishna, Senad Lulic, Stefano Mauri and Eddy Onazi were injured with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Stefan Radu and Keita Balde Diao suspended.
Saint-Etienne were also already qualified in second place. Alessandro Matri wasted a golden opportunity early on, springing the offside trap to go clear only to hit the side-netting.
Etrit Berisha was at full stretch for a one-handed save on Benjamin Corgnet and a Filip Djordjevic ball flashed all the way across the face of goal with Matri unable to tap in.
Berisha came to the rescue again, rushing out of his own penalty area to clear with a diving header on Corgnet’s attempt following a Wesley Hoedt error.
Matri turned a wonderful Chris Ikonomidis assist on to the side-netting, but moments later got the goal when he sprung the offside trap on an Abdoullay Konko through ball and showed determination to prod it in at the second attempt.
It should’ve been 2-0, but Filip Djordjevic somehow came sliding in to turn a Felipe Anderson assist wide from seven yards. Ravel Morrison almost scored straight after coming off the bench, but his first touch let him down.
Saint-Etienne got an equaliser instead, Valentin Eyserric unleashing a sudden snapshot from 20 metres that caught Berisha completely by surprise, leaving him wrong-footed.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net again late on, but Neal Maupay was flagged offside. Moments later, the same player turned wide from close range and Djordjevic drilled over on the half-volley.
Saint-Etienne 1-1 Lazio
Scorers: Matri 52 (L), Eyserric 76 (S)
Saint-Etienne: Moulin; Brison, Karamoko (Sall 27), Pogba, Polomat; Clement, Diomande (Pinheiro 57); Bahebeck, Corgnet (Bamba 64), Eysseric; Maupay
Lazio: Berisha; Basta, Mauricio, Hoedt, Konko; Felipe Anderson, Cataldi, Parolo, Ikonomidis (Candreva 84); Matri (Morrison 74), Djordjevic
Ref: Blom (NED)