Lazio faced Viktoria Plzen at the Stadio Olimpico on March 13, 2025, for the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16. With a 2-1 edge from the first leg, the stakes were high for both teams as they competed for advancement to the quarter-finals. The match kicked off at 17:45 GMT, and Lazio was hoping to maintain their perfect home record in European competitions.
The home side saw Taty Castellanos return to their starting lineup after being sidelined for five matches due to an adductor injury. Castellanos played as the solitary striker within Lazio's 4-2-3-1 formation, backed by Gustav Isaksen, Pedro, and Mattia Zaccagni. Unfortunately for the Biancocelesti, they were without Nicolo Rovella and Samuel Gigot, who served suspensions after being sent off during the first leg.
The starting lineup for Lazio included goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, defenders Adam Marusic, Patric, Alessio Romagnoli, and Nuno Tavares. The midfield was filled by Matteo Guendouzi and Matias Vecino, with the latter replacing the suspended Rovella. Lazio's coach Marco Baroni emphasized the importance of maintaining their attacking momentum, particularly following their series of draws and wins leading up to this match.
On the opposite side, Viktoria Plzen was determined to overturn the deficit. Their starting eleven featured goalkeeper Michal Jedlicka, who had to contend with Lazio's aggressive forward line. Both teams had their share of yellow cards, with early cautions issued to Sampson Dweh of Plzen and Lazio's Adam Marusic within the opening three minutes of the match.
Midway through the match, Plzen’s Pavel Sulc found the back of the net on the 52nd minute, leveling the score at 1-1 for the night and bringing the aggregate tally to 2-2. This goal energized the visitors as they sought to capitalize on the momentum, but Lazio remained resolute and quickly sought to regain control.
Just 25 minutes later, Lazio responded decisively. A well-placed corner kick found Romagnoli, who sent the ball soaring past Jedlicka, bringing the score to 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico and restoring Lazio's aggregate lead to 3-2. Romagnoli's headed goal showcased Lazio's proficiency on set-pieces as they continued to apply pressure on Plzen's defensive ranks.
Despite the scoreboard's advantage, the encounter remained fierce, with both teams eager to score. Lazar's shots were plentiful, registering 15 attempts against Plzen's 11, maintaining pressure throughout the match. Lazio managed five shots on target, another statistic favoring their persistence.
With the match winding down, Plzen struggled to break through Lazio's solid defensive line. They had not won against Italian teams on their home soil for generations—having last achieved victory against Napoli back in February 2013. This stat weighed heavily on the visitors as they pushed for one final attempt to equalize.
Substitutions on both teams aimed to inject fresh energy as the game reached its climax. For Lazio, Castellanos made way for Boulaye Dia, along with Nuno Tavares and Pedro exiting for substitutes, showing their resolve to secure the draw needed to advance. Plzen’s final attempts fell short as their frustrations mounted, culminating with two late yellow cards issued to Durosinmi and Vydra.
Once the final whistle blew, the match concluded with Lazio holding Viktoria Plzen to a 1-1 draw. With this result, the Italian team advanced to the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 3-2. Lazio now looks forward to facing either Olympiakos or Bodo/Glimt next. Their match against Plzen not only emphasized their attacking prowess and defensive stability but also continued their impressive record within UEFA competitions.
Manager Marco Baroni’s side now finds itself on the uptick, having not only avoided defeat but demonstrated the resilience needed to push through competitive fixtures. The squad's ability to perform under pressure and to integrate returning players like Castellanos bodes well for their prospects as they progress through the tournament.
After securing their place, Lazio now shifts its focus back to domestic league concerns where they look to maintain their momentum both on home turf and abroad. Fans will watch eagerly as their team continues striving for excellence and potential glory within this season's Europa League.