Coppa Italia: Dele-Bashiru and Dia score for Lazio but Sulemana and Atalanta have last laugh

Despite goals from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Boulaye Dia, Lazio have an uphill battle in the Coppa Italia semifinals after Kamaldeen Sulemana set up Atalanta’s late equalizer from Yunus Musah in a 2-2 first leg draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Sulemana played the role of super sub for the Bergamo club. Thirteen minutes after coming on, the Ghanaian made a slick turn past Adam Marušić on the left wing before cutting back for American international Musah to fire in an 89th minute equalizer.

It was a heartbreaking result for hosts Lazio, who appeared to earn a slight edge in the first leg. After a dull first half, the match ignited soon after halftime when Nigeria midfielder Dele-Bashiru produced a slick finish past onrushing Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi after excellent hold up play from Daniel Maldini.

Mario Pašalić provided a quick response for the visitors and a tight battle ensued for the remainder of the first half. Senegalese forward Dia came off the bench and it appeared that he would be the hero after pouncing on a defensive error from Pašalić to finish past Carnesecchi.

But Sulemana, known for his unpredictability, showed his best side on Wednesday evening with an assist that could be decisive.

 

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It will be almost two months when the two teams meet again for the second leg on April 22. Until then, both teams will focus on boosting their ranking in the midst of disappointing campaigns in Serie A.