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| Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord shoots to score during the Group E - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 match between Feyenoord and SS Lazio at Stadion Feijenoord on October 25, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. |
Feyenoord picked up a vital victory on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League against Lazio. The reigning Eredivisie champions beat Lazio 3-1 after goals by Santiago Gimenez and Ramiz Zerrouki.
Arne Slot started the match with Ramiz Zerrouki in midfield. His side had an open spot in the midfield as Calvin Stengs was moved to the wing to replace Yankubah Minteh.
Feyenoord had their first big chance of the match after nine minutes. Igor Paixao put in a perfect cross straight to Gimenez, who was playing his first Champions League, having served a suspension for the first two matches, but the Mexican wasted the chance by heading it wide.
Lazio was struggling with the home side's high press, disrupting the build-up play that manager Maurizio Sarri's sides are so famous for. Having already missed a chance and had a goal disallowed, Gimenez continued to find space and gave the home side the lead after half an hour played. The striker received the ball with his back to goal before spinning and knocking it past Ivan Provedel in the Lazio goal.
The Italian side showed their first bit of danger after 34 minutes. A cross by Felipe Anderson was headed towards goal by Luis Alberto. Justin Bijlow saved the ball and gathered it on his second attempt.
The Rotterdammers picked the perfect time to double their lead. Of all people, Zerrouki, who would most probably not have been playing if not for injuries, doubled their lead in the second minute of injury time of the first half. Calvin Stengs played the ball to Zerrouki, who curled it into the far top corner from the edge of the area.
Feyenoord should have put the game to bed six minutes into the second half. Paixao was one-on-one with Provedel, but his shot had too much power, sending it flying over the crossbar.
Both sides had problems with finishing chances as Lazio missed a huge opportunity to half the deficit in the 58th minute. Left winger Mattia Zaccagni had his effort saved by Bijlow before it fell to substitute Taty Castellanos, who failed to convert into the open goal.
Feyenoord got their third with 15 minutes to go. Alireza Jahanbaksch found Quinten Timber in the box, whose shot from close range was saved by Provedel, but Gimenez was on hand to volley it home and get his second goal of the match.
Lazio were awarded a penalty after 82 minutes after Castellanos was fouled. Experienced winger Pedro converted the penalty, curling it into the corner.
The return fixture between these two sides at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome will be played in two weeks. That match will also be played without away fans, just like this one was due to crowd trouble between Feyenoord and AS Roma fans two years ago.