Bankruptcy and a hail of expulsions
Lazio boss rages: “We have been humiliated”
March 2, 2024, 11:39 a.m
Bayern’s next opponent, Lazio Rome, suffered a late defeat and three sendings off ahead of the Champions League round of 16 second leg. The owner and president of the club rages and judges the refereeing in Italy.
Claudio Lotito needed to speak. The owner and president of Lazio Rome was anything but happy with the refereeing performance in his team’s 0-1 league defeat against Italian top club AC Milan. “We were humiliated,” said the 66-year-old after the botched dress rehearsal before the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday (9 p.m. in the live ticker at ntv.de) at Bayern Munich.
“The team has no responsibility. In sport you have to win based on your performance. There is a limit beyond which you cannot go, and today all limits were exceeded,” said Lotito. The club boss, who also sits as a senator in the Italian parliament, was particularly angry about the three dismissals against his team. Luca Pellegrini (57′), Adam Marusic (90’+4) and Matteo Guendouzi (90’+6) were all dropped and ensured Lazio had to finish the game with just eight players.
Noah Okafor scored the winning goal for Milan in the 88th minute. Lazio remains in ninth place after 27 match days, Milan moved within one point of second-placed Juventus.
Lotito then criticized the refereeing in Serie A in general. “It’s been going on like this for some time,” he said and called for changes: “Either the system is able to correct itself in complete autonomy or we have to turn to a third authority. The club will take part in the appropriate committees insert.” After the surprising victory in the first leg, Lazio goes into the round of 16 second leg of the premier class in Munich with a 1-0 lead. In the domestic league, however, things are not going well for the team led by former Dortmund player Ciro Immobile this season. Lazio is currently only ninth in Serie A and is in danger of missing out on international business.