Lazio vs Empoli: A Game of Two Halves

If you only watched the first half of Lazio's match against Empoli, you might have thought the Biancocelesti were cruising to an easy victory. They were dominating possession, creating chances, and even took a deserved lead through Ciro Immobile. But the second half was a completely different story, as Empoli came out with renewed determination and turned the game on its head.

The turning point came in the 55th minute when Empoli striker Andrea Pinamonti equalized with a stunning strike. The goal gave the visitors a boost of confidence, and they began to take control of the game. Lazio, on the other hand, seemed to lose their way, and their performance dropped off dramatically.

Empoli continued to press, and they were rewarded with a second goal in the 70th minute, this time from Liam Henderson. The goal sent the travelling Empoli fans into raptures, and it looked like Lazio's hopes of victory were slipping away.

But Lazio showed their resilience in the final minutes of the game. They pushed forward in search of an equalizer, and they were eventually rewarded when Felipe Anderson scored in the 89th minute. The goal set up a grandstand finish, but Empoli held on to secure a famous victory.

What went wrong for Lazio?

There were a number of factors that contributed to Lazio's second-half collapse. Firstly, they seemed to lose their concentration after Empoli's first goal. They started to make mistakes, and they allowed Empoli to get back into the game.

Secondly, Lazio's substitutions didn't seem to have the desired effect. Maurizio Sarri brought on a number of attacking players in an attempt to chase the game, but they failed to make a significant impact.

What did Empoli do right?

Empoli's victory was a testament to their hard work and determination. They never gave up, even when they were behind. They also showed great tactical discipline, and they were able to exploit Lazio's weaknesses.

Empoli's manager, Paolo Zanetti, deserves great credit for his team's performance. He set his team up perfectly, and he made all the right substitutions at the right time.

What does the result mean for both teams?

The result is a major setback for Lazio. They have now lost three of their last four games, and they are now out of the top four. Empoli, on the other hand, have moved up to 12th place, and they are now clear of the relegation zone.

The result also has implications for the race for the title. Lazio are now nine points behind league leaders Napoli, and it looks like their hopes of winning the Scudetto are fading.

What's next for both teams?

Lazio will be looking to bounce back when they travel to Udinese next weekend. Empoli, on the other hand, will be hoping to continue their good form when they host Fiorentina.