Back-and-forth goals as Lazio and Atalanta's heated duel ends 2-2

Lazio were held to a 2-2 draw by Atalanta in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final at the Stadio Olimpico. Twice they led, and twice Atalanta equalised, so the final berth will be decided in the return leg in Bergamo. The match was played amid an unusual atmosphere at the stadium, with only around 5,000 spectators inside, while thousands of Lazio fans gathered outside in protest against club president Claudio Lotito. Atalanta had actually threatened in the eighth minute when Nikola Krstovic headed home, but VAR flagged an offside, disallowing the goal. The visitors pressed in the first half. Davide Zappacosta’s acrobatic volley struck the post as Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel looked beaten. Despite domination, the score remained 0-0 at half-time. Sixty seconds after the second half began, Lazio struck. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru broke through from midfield, combined with Daniel Maldini, and chipped the ball over Marco Carnesecchi. It was Dele-Bashiru’s first goal of the season and one of the best of his career. However Lazio’s joy lasted little. Provedel failed to stop Lazar Samardzic’s powerful effort, which Mario Pasalic turned in to level at 1-1. Midway through the second half the intensity increased. Lazio regained the lead when Pasalic committed a fatal mistake inside the box; intending to control the ball with his chest, he instead played a loose ball to Boulaye Dia, who calmly swept home from seven yards. Atalanta’s character shone again. Soon after their setback they equalised for the second time; Kamaldeen Sulemana delivered a low cross from the left, found Yunus Musah, who struck first-time into the corner. The 2-2 scoreline held to the final whistle. The result gives Atalanta a slight edge ahead of the return leg in Bergamo, while Lazio must work hard in the away leg if they are to save their season with a trophy.