Lazio were held to a 2-2 draw by Sturm Graz on Matchday 4 of the Europa League, with everything to play for in the remaining two rounds.
Ciro Immobile gave the Biancocelesti the lead but Manuel Lazzarri was sent off before half-time, leaving the Serie A side to play with 10 men for the whole second half. Pedro also scored for the Aquile but William Boving proved to be the star of the night with a brace for the Austrians.
The draw on Thursday night leaves all four teams in Group F on five points each as Feyenoord and Midtjylland drew 2-2 earlier in the evening.
Immobile makes more Lazio history
It was a rather sluggish start to the much, with the Austrians having an early spell of possession before the Biancocelesti started to get into the rhythm of the game.
Most of the early opportunities were hopeful at best until Immobile forced a save out of Sturm Graz goalkeeper Jorg Siebenhandl on the half hour, then Toma Basic sent the rebound over the bar. Minutes later, Pedro was only denied by the crossbar.
Lazio were awarded a penalty minutes before half-time when Mattia Zaccagni was tripped by David Affengruber and Immobile sent the ball to the goalkeeper’s left side of the goal.
A fracas broke out between the two squads before the break, which saw Manuel Lazzari receive his second yellow card and was promptly sent off for dissent, while a coaching staff member from the Austrian side was also given his marching orders.
Boving inspires second half Sturm Graz comeback
The first 10 minutes went by with little fuss, but Sturm Graz equalised after 56 minutes when Danilo Cataldi had a pass intercepted by Alexander Prass, who sprinted forward and passed to Boving, whose low shot from outside of the box found the back of the net.
Sturm Graz started to pepper Ivan Provedel in the Lazio goal but it was the Biancocelesti who regained the lead thanks to a superb strike from Pedro. The Spaniard exchanged passes with Felipe Anderson, whose clever back-heel found the veteran forward, and he bent a shot into the far corner.
Despite taking the lead with 10 men, Aquile coach Maurizio Sarri decided to replace Immobile with another forward in Matteo Cancellieri instead of putting on a defender. It proved to be costly as Boving scored his second goal for the Austrians, beating Provedel with another low drive.
