[Friendly] Burnley - Lazio = 0 - 1

One week before Burnley return to the Premier League, they hosted Lazio at Turf Moor on Saturday. Both teams used the game to get ready for the new season. Burnley’s target is to stay in the top division, while Lazio, now coached again by Maurizio Sarri, are chasing a place in Europe. In this game, Matteo Cancellieri continued his strong preseason.

Matteo Cancellieri scored the winning goal against newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, August 9, confirming he’s been Lazio’s standout player this summer.

Lazio started with Ivan Provedel in goal. In defense, Adam Marušić played at center-back next to Alessio Romagnoli, with Manuel Lazzari and Nuno Tavares on the sides. Because the squad was short in defense and midfield, Maurizio Sarri used Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nicolò Rovella, and Matteo Guendouzi in the middle. On the wings, Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni supported Boulaye Dia as the striker.

Burnley created more chances in the first half. Provedel made several saves; Josh Laurent tested him in the 26th minute, and Oliver Sonne hit the crossbar in the 40th. Cancellieri also went close for Lazio but shot just wide.

Early in the second half, Burnley struck the post again. Soon after, Dia was fouled in the box and Lazio won a penalty. Guendouzi first took the ball but then gave it to captain Zaccagni. His shot was too weak, and Max Weiss saved it.

Lazio kept pushing. In the 75th minute, Dele-Bashiru found Pedro with a smart pass. Pedro then played a perfect through ball to Cancellieri, who finished calmly past Weiss for the decisive goal. It was Lazio’s second goal of the preseason and another key moment from the 22-year-old.

Sarri will be pleased with the teamwork: Marušić covering at center-back with Romagnoli, Lazzari and Tavares giving width, and a midfield that mixed hard work with good passing—shown by Dele-Bashiru’s assist in the build-up. Up front, Dia’s movement earned the penalty and stretched Burnley’s defense, while Cancellieri’s direct play remained Lazio’s main threat.

What’s next: Lazio face Atromitos next Saturday at the Manlio Scopigno Stadium in Rieti, then start their Serie A season away to Como on August 24.

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel (59' Mandas); Lazzari (45' Gila), Marusic (59' Hysaj), Romagnoli (45' Provstgaard), Nuno Tavares (45' Pellegrini); Guendouzi, Rovella (59' Cataldi), Dele-Bashiru (76' Basic); Cancellieri (76' Noslin), Dia (59' Castellanos), Zaccagni (59' Pedro)

Bench: Furlanetto, Ruggeri

Coach: Sarri

Goalscorer: 75' Cancellieri (L)

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