Substitute Taty Castellanos shone with a brace in Lazio’s 3-2 triumph over relegation-threatened Frosinone on Saturday, marking what is likely interim coach Giovanni Martusciello’s sole match in charge of the capital club.
Pol Lirola initially gave Frosinone the lead, before Mattia Zaccagni equalized shortly before halftime. Castellanos then took center stage after the break, scoring twice. Despite Walid Cheddira’s goal reducing the deficit and setting up a tense final 20 minutes, Lazio held on for the win, with Cheddira also having a goal disallowed.
Martusciello, appointed as caretaker coach after Maurizio Sarri’s resignation, is set to be replaced by Igor Tudor from Monday. Tudor, a former coach of Udinese and Hellas Verona in Serie A, most recently managed Marseille.
Lazio, enduring a four-game losing streak, including a Champions League exit at Bayern Munich, found themselves trailing early as Lirola netted for Frosinone in the 13th minute. However, Zaccagni’s volley before halftime drew Lazio level.
Castellanos, brought on in the 56th minute, wasted no time making an impact, heading in Luis Alberto’s free kick to give Lazio the lead. He then doubled his tally just five minutes later, capitalizing on a rebound.
Despite Cheddira’s spectacular goal and a disallowed effort, Lazio held on for the win. With Lazio in ninth place, trailing fourth-placed Bologna by 11 points, and Frosinone still a point from safety, the match had significant implications for both teams.
