Lazio 1-0 Juventus – Basic says ‘No time for euphoria’ as Zaccagni hails ‘extraordinary game’

Lazio defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, with Croatian midfielder Toma Basic scoring the only goal. After the game, the match winner urged his side to remain focused, as the “table remains very tight”, whilst captain Mattia Zaccagni hailed the victory as an “extraordinary game.”

The Biancocelesti needed a boost after back-to-back stalemates with Torino and Atalanta, so they were grateful when Jonathan David’s misplaced back pass was intercepted by Danilo Cataldi, setting up Basic for the early goal.

They held on to the lead from there, although both teams were angry with the officiating of referee Andrea Colombo.
Weston McKennie was very fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Matteo Guendouzi, while Mario Gila appeared to tread on Francisco Conceicao’s boot inside the penalty area moments later.

Lazio captain Zaccagni: ‘An extraordinary game’

“It was an extraordinary game in every way, we faced this with humility and character, we remained united during difficult moments, and at times managed to play good football too,” Zaccagni told DAZN Italia.

“Toma has to be seen as an example, because even when he was left out of the squad list, he trained with real humility and made sure he was ready. He’s a great professional. Now we look to Thursday’s game against Pisa, because we are still lagging behind in the league and want to climb further up.”

Basic: ‘I feel happy but exhausted’

Basic was not even on the Lazio squad list going into this season, as he was on the transfer market and failed to find a new club.

He was brought back into the fold due to an injury crisis, and has since become a key figure in the midfield, starting every match and even scoring tonight’s decisive goal.

“I feel happy, but also exhausted, because the whole team gave our all to the very end. I don’t want to talk about me, there’s no time for euphoria, because the table remains very tight, so there are other games where we must give 100 per cent in the same way,” Basic told DAZN Italia.

“I don’t know if people think I was somewhere else, but I was always training with the team and working with them throughout.”