Lazio 0 - 0 Marseille: Honours even at the Stadio Olimpico

An uneventful night at the Stadio Olimpico finished 0-0 between Lazio and Marseille, and while the Ligue 1 side remain outside of the two qualifying places in Group E, the stalemate in Rome ended a painful five-game losing streak against Italian opposition.

Despite both teams coming into the match equipped with high-powered attacks, the first half ended goalless and thoroughly unmemorable. A curling effort from Cengiz Ünder would be the most notable moment, but his shot was parried away from goal by Thomas Strakosha. Yet, Jorge Sampaoli and Marseille will have headed down the tunnel at HT the happier of the two sides, after carrying more of a threat than the Italian club.

In search of their first win in the group, ‘Les Olympiens’ appeared poised to continue their control of the run of play in the second interval. However, it would be Lazio who came out in the second half with the bit between their teeth. Star striker Ciro Immobile appeared to give ‘Le Aquile’ the lead on the stroke of the 60th minute, but the Italian international had strayed offside just before latching onto the ball in the Marseille box, and the goal was disallowed.

Lazio continued to threaten, but an Immobile shot fired into the crossbar and over the net would be the final moment of drama in a match where defences shone.

The draw will be seen as a slight improvement by the Marseille fans, as their team came into the match winless in nine straight away matches in European competition. As for Lazio, their failure to find the winning goal snaps a four game winning run against Marseille in competitive matches.