Stefano Mauri cancelled out Federico Peluso's opener to give the Eagles a crucial away goal. However, Lazio shotstopper Federico Marchetti pulled off a string of saves to keep the visitors in the tie and give them a real chance of progressing to the Final.
Juventus vs Lazio, 2013 Coppa Italia: Final Score 1-1, Advantage Lazio
Lazio snatched a dramatic late equaliser to deny Juventus and leave the first Coppa Italia semi-final delicately poised going into next Tuesday’s return leg.
Juventus were without Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, Nicklas Bendtner, Simone Pepe, Kwadwo Asamoah and the suspended Fabio Quagliarella. Mirko Vucinic was nursing an ankle injury and started from the bench, handing Alessandro Matri the lone strikers role.
Lazio lined up without Miroslav Klose, Abdoulay Konko, Ederson and the banned Andre Dias.
The Bianconeri successfully pinned Lazio back in the early stages and were dangerous from set plays, as both Leonardo Bonucci and Paul Pogba headed over good chances.
The Eagles threatened on 19 minutes. Michael Ciani headed Luis Cavanda's cross over. Marco Storari then almost fumbled Sergio Floccari's flick-on, while Pogba sent a bullet header just inches over the bar.
Lazio enjoyed a brief attacking spell before half time. Cavanda got his feet tied up in the box and spurned a golden opportunity to shoot. Emanuele Giaccherini had to get his body in the way to stop Hernanes connecting with a Senad Lulic cross. The Bosnian put in another cross from the byline and Luca Marrone almost turned the ball into his own net. Andrea Barzagli got the ball clear, despite being put under pressure from Mauri.
Bonucci pulled up with a hamstring injury right on half time and had to be substituted. In an odd moment, Hernanes and Marchisio opted to swap shirts during the break.
Pogba tried his luck from distance after the restart, while the Lazio defence repelled several dangerous balls from wide positions.
Marrone played a ball over the top of the Lazio defence for Matri to volley at goal, but Marchetti managed to fingertip it over. Matri then met Arturo Vidal's knock down only to send a half-volley over.
The home side’s pressure finally paid off on 63 minutes. Peluso rose above the Lazio defence to head Giaccherini’s cross past Marchetti and into the far corner. Ironically, Vucinic was all set to come on for Peluso before the goal. The Montenegrin was quickly instructed to put his tracksuit back on and return to the bench.
Matri almost doubled the lead after controlling Barzagli's diagonal ball beautifully and advancing towards goal. A last ditch challenge from Lorik Cana forced Matri's hand and his shot went wide.
Matri almost turned provider. A defence-splitting ball found Vidal who struck a shot with the outside of his foot, only to see the ball come back off the post. Ciani cleared, but Mauricio Isla pumped the ball back into the danger area. Vidal managed to spurn the effort at the back post.
Vucinic finally came on with 13 minutes to play and made an instant contribution. His chipped pass was met by Vidal’s looping header. The ball was destined for the net, but Marchetti was able to scramble back and somehow claw the ball off the line.
The Juventus Stadium was silenced when Lazio equalised on 86 minutes. Mauri met Antonio Candreva's corner at the far post with a low volley which squirmed underneath Storari and over the line.
Juventus: Storari; Barzagli, Bonucci, (Caceres 44) Peluso; (De Ceglie 71) Isla, Vidal, Marrone, Pogba, Giaccherini; Marchisio; (Vucinic 77) Matri
Lazio: Marchetti; Biava, (Radu 83) Cana, Ciani; Cavanda, Gonzalez, Ledesma, (Candreva 70) Hernanes, (Brocchi 82) Lulic; Mauri; Floccari
Goals: Peluso 63 (J) Mauri 86 (L)
See More:
