Lazio 1-1 Fenerbahce (Agg 1-3): Turkish side seal progression to final four

Posted Friday, April 12, 2013 by Goal.com

The Serie A side bow out of the Europa League as Fenerbahce secure a place in the last four

Lazio crashed out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce at the Stadio Olimpico.

Senad Lulic had put the hosts 1-0 up on the hour mark after heading past Volkan Demirel, but Caner Erkin levelled up the encounter on the night, with 15 minutes remaining, to put his side 3-1 up on aggregate and secure the Istanbul's route to the last four.

The first clear cut opportunity of the game fell to Antonio Candreva following some sloppy defensive play by Cristian, as the Lazio winger fired a tame effort goalbound that was easily held by Volkan Demirel.

The hosts pressed early on as Hernanes saw his long distance effort inadvertently blocked by Libor Kozak, before the Brazilian midfielder looked to audaciously catch Demirel out from a long range free kick.

Ederson was lively early on for Lazio, but could only drag his effort wide, before Raul Meireles mustered Fenerbahce's first shot on goal as his volley drifted aimlessly wide of Federico Marchetti's net.

Candreva smashed a volley over and Hernanes saw his low drive easily held by Demirel, before the Fenerbahce goalkeeper denied Ederson with his feet from close range as the Biancocelesti grew into the half.

Lazio began the second half the way they ended the first as Candreva excellently picked out Kozak in the Fener box, only for the burly striker to head over from six yards out.

Derimel denied Stefan Radu with a long distance effort, but couldn't keep out Lulic's header on the hour mark, after Candreva picked out winger from the right.

Lazio continued to press for a second, but were undone with a quarter of an hour to go. Pierre Webo held the ball up superbly in the Lazio box before finding Erkin to smash past Marchetti to give Fenerbahce the advantage.

The goal spurred Lazio on with 10 minutes to go, as Radu fired wide before Lorik Cana forced Demirel to expertly tipped his header over the bar.

The Italian side continued to apply pressure in their bid add a second in the dying embers of the encounter, but it was in vain as they crashed out of Europe 3-1 on aggregate.