Clinical Lazio leave Stuttgart by exit door
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E-mail Xinhua, March 8, 2013
Lazio exploited two black outs by Stuttgart's defence to wrap up a 2-0 victory and a good starting position for the second leg, at the round of 16 in Europa League on Thursday.
Goals by Lazio's Ederson Honorato Campos and Ogenyi Onazi were enough to snatch a victory on Stuttgart's home soil.
From kick off Stuttgart were willing to take the reins on the pitch against deep defending visitors from Rome.
The host's offensive efforts nearly were rewarded but Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti denied Shinji Okazaki's header on target with a save on the 12th minute.
Instead of the opener, Stuttgart had to swallow a deficit as Lazio clinically capitalised on an error to break the deadlock on the 21st minute. Stuttgart failed to clear the ball from their box consequently Campos grabbed the chance to slot home with a turnshot into the bottom left.
The "Swabians" remained unfazed and pressed for the equalized but chances remained unused as Okazaki squandered his second chance just before the break.
With beginning of the second half both sides neutralized each other until Onazi added a second goal to the scoreboards. Onazi started a solo run from their own territory to dance through Stuttgart's defence to beat onrushing keeper Sven Ulreich on the 56th minute.
Lazio well positioned defence didn't allow the hosts to score a consolation. "Lazio's goal came out of nowhere. Nonetheless, they clinically capitalized on our errors," Stuttgart's sport director Fredi Bobic said after the loss.
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