Lazio came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 at the Bluenergy Stadium on Monday evening, maintaining their perfect start to the Serie A season. Summer signings Davide Frattesi and Albert Gudmundsson scored in the final 15 minutes to complete the comeback.
Udinese had looked set for victory after Jesper Karlstrom opened the scoring shortly after half-time, but Lazio responded strongly and turned the match around late on.
The first half was evenly contested, with opportunities at both ends. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made an excellent save to keep out Mattia Zaccagni’s free-kick, while Christos Mandas denied Keinan Davis and Hassane Kamara.
Udinese 1-2 Lazio comeback begins
Both teams were affected by injuries during the match. Udinese lost Jakub Piotrowski and Oumar Solet, while Lazio were forced to replace summer signing Andrea Pinamonti in the 53rd minute, with Tijjani Noslin coming on.
Four minutes after the restart, Karlstrom broke the deadlock. Davis found him inside the box, and the Udinese midfielder finished to put the hosts ahead.
Lazio continued to push for a response and eventually found their equaliser in the 75th minute. Zaccagni played the ball into Frattesi, who had created space inside the area before sending a first-time finish into the roof of the net.
Frattesi and Gudmundsson inspire Lazio
Frattesi was replaced by Gudmundsson five minutes after scoring, and the substitute wasted little time making an impact.
With only a minute remaining, Gudmundsson fired Lazio into the lead to complete the turnaround. His late goal secured all three points for Gennaro Gattuso’s side and preserved their 100% record at the start of the Serie A season.
The summer arrivals therefore proved decisive, with Frattesi and Gudmundsson both finding the net after Lazio had fallen behind.
Lazio maintains a perfect Serie A start
The victory completed a dramatic comeback for Lazio after Udinese had taken control following Karlstrom’s goal. Gattuso’s side showed enough attacking pressure in the closing stages to overturn the deficit.
Udinese were unable to protect their lead despite Karlstrom’s second-half opener, with Frattesi equalising before Gudmundsson struck the decisive goal in the final minute.