[Friendly] Galatasaray - Lazio = 2 - 2

After the disappointment against Fenerbahçe, Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio delivered a markedly improved display in their second Istanbul friendly, coming away from Galatasaray with a 2-2 draw on the evening of Saturday, August 2. The result offered a more balanced reflection of the team’s identity under Sarri: structured, dangerous on transition, and resilient even when pressed.

Sarri kept faith with his preferred 4-3-3 shape but made adjustments to personnel: Christos Mandas earned the start in goal, Adam Marušić partnered Alessio Romagnoli at the heart of the defense, with Elseid Hysaj and Nuno Tavares providing width from full-back. In midfield, Nicolo Rovella sat between Matteo Guendouzi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while the front three featured Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni supporting Taty Castellanos.

The hosts drew first blood from a set-piece situation when Gabriel Sarri’s delivery found Lucas Torreira unmarked, and the Uruguayan finished with composure. Lazio responded soon after in almost identical fashion: Rovella’s corner caused chaos in the box, and although Cancellieri got the initial head, a deflection off Davinson Sánchez forced the ball over the line to restore parity.

The Biancoceleste finished the first half on a high. A swift counter saw Dele-Bashiru combine with Tavares, but the move was thwarted by Galatasaray’s goalkeeper. Lazio’s persistence paid off moments later when Castellanos threaded the ball to Cancellieri, who in turn created space for Zaccagni—his powerful strike evaded the keeper and sent Lazio into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

Galatasaray dominated more of the ball after the break, prompting Sarri to tinker with his options, but Lazio remained dangerous on the break. There was a moment of individual brilliance when a long ball from Ivan Provedel released Pedro, who slipped past his marker; his first touch was smart, but a heavy second prevented a second goal. The hosts, however, weren’t to be denied. Yunus Akgün’s surge down the right culminated in a clever layoff to Sara, who fed Torreira. The former Arsenal man curled a superb effort from the edge of the area, beating Provedel and leveling the contest.

The closing stages were tense and competitive. Both sides had appeals for penalties turned away; Galatasaray’s Metehan Baltaci saw a close-range attempt denied by Provedel, while Pedro came close with a curling effort that narrowly missed. In the end, the draw left Lazio with something to build on, demonstrating tactical cohesion, counter-attacking threat, and mental recovery from their earlier defeat.

Sarri’s squad will now return to Formello to refine preparations before traveling to England for their next friendly assignment against Burnley on Saturday, August 9. The performance in Istanbul, especially the ability to respond and control phases despite being under pressure, provides a more optimistic foundation as the season’s competitive edges approach.

Lazio (4-3-3): Mandas (59' Provedel); Hysaj (46' Gila), Marusic (59' Lazzari), Romagnoli (66' Provstgaard), Tavares (46' Pellegrini); Guendouzi (66' Belahyane), Rovella (46' Cataldi), Dele-Bashiru (46' Vecino); Cancellieri (75' Noslin), Castellanos (46' Dia), Zaccagni (59' Pedro)

Bench: Furlanetto, Renzetti, Nielsen, Basic, Ruggeri, Pinelli

Coach: Sarri

Goalscorers: 10' Torreira (G), 33' Sanchez Own Goal (L), 46' Zaccagni (L), 74' Torreira (G)

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