Lazio welcomed Legia Warsaw to the Stadio Olimpico as both sides started their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening.
The Polish visitors frustrated Lazio for long periods of the match and chances proved to be hard to come by for the attacking players on the pitch.
However, Lazio found a winning goal in the second half thanks to a powerful header from Brazilian midfielder Hernanes.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good evening. We've got an intriguing battle for you tonight. The giants that are Lazio take on the Polish champions Legia Warsaw in the Europa League.
Both sides will be desperate to begin their campaign with a win and they'll know how vital three points can be early in the group stage.
Both teams are in the tunnel in Rome. It looks like a great atmosphere inside the ground. This could be a very good contest.
LAZIO XI: Marchetti, Cana, Ciani, Konko, Cavanda, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Ederson, Onazi, Keita, Floccari
LEGIA: Skaba, Junior, Ojamaa, Saganowski, Brzyski, Kosecki, Vrdoljak, Rzeniczak, Broz, Radovic, Furman
PREDICTION: Lazio have rested a few key players and I think Legia could be a threat tonight but I fancy the Italians to steal a 2-1 win. We're ready to begin in Rome, so let's get the action underway.
SHOT! Lazio looks positive immediately, with Konko advancing down the left wing. The ball drops to Onazi but his long range volley is well off target.
Kosecki shows some good skill on the left side of midfield but his cross is well cleared by Konko. The following corner comes to nothing for the visitors.
Good defending from Cana, who wins a goal kick for his side despite some big pressure from Radovic.
Legia are doing a great job of hurrying Lazio's players in midfield. It's good but I'm not sure how long they can keep that tempo up.
Kosecki once again takes on Cavanda on the left wing and wins another corner for his side. The set-piece is taken short and this allows Lazio to settle before clearing the danger.
Lazio are just beginning to see more of the ball but they're being met by some stubborn Polish resistance.
Kosecki is once again the dangerous man when he collects a ball from Furman. No way through for the winger this time as Lazio get back to defend in numbers
Ciani somehow finds himself deep in the Legia half of the pitch and he delivers an inviting ball which Skaba does well to gather.
Floccari bursts past a couple of Legia defender but he's hauled down by a back-tracking Kosecki. Lazio coming into this game now.
Lazio haven't quite found their attacking spark yet and that could be something to do with the amount of changes to the side. Hernanes, in particular, is struggling to get into the game.
Legia have dropped deeper in the last couple of minutes. It's a battle of the mdifielders at the moment, with not too many shining examples of quality yet.
SHOT! A Legia attack breaks down but Furman collects the ball again before firing over the crossbar from 30 yards out.
SHOT! Ederson shows some good skill on the edge of the box to create some space but his effort is deflected over the bar for a corner.
CHANCES! A poor corner still manages to find its way to Ederson, who sees a shot destined for the bottom corner blocked. Ciani gets his head on the next corner but his effort drifts wide of the target.
SAVE! Best chance of the game so far. Radovic chips a beautiful pass over the Lazio defence and Kosecki fires a volley at goal but Marchetti responds brilliantly to flick the ball over the bar. Fantastic goalkeeping.
Ojamaa shows us for the first time just how much pace he has as he sprints past Konko before earning a free-kick. Lazio once again clear the delivery. Good pressure from the visitors.
Legia looked like they've come here with an impressive game plan. Lazio aren't getting much time on the ball at their own ground.
Keita cuts in from the left before finding Gonzalez. he delivers an inviting cross but Floccari is beaten to the ball by a couple of Legia defenders.
CLOSE! Kosecki causes more problems for Lazio when he finds some space on the edge of the box before curling the ball just beyond the far post. Very close to an opening goal.
Lazio win a free-kick in a good position but Hernanes fails to pick out one of his teammates and the ball drifts behind for a goal-kick.
YELLOW CARD! Ederson goes into the book for a blatant hand ball as Legia threaten to break away.
It's not been football of the highest quality so far. In the space of one minute, both teams manage to be dispossessed on a number of occasions.
Legia clear a dangerous corner from Keita. The Polish champions look well organised at the back and they haven't really offered anything to Lazio so far.
Hernanes is beginning to see more of the ball in midfield, which is a good sign for Lazio. Flocarri isn't getting too much support at the moment, so the hosts need to get closer to the lone striker.
Brzyski collects the ball in plenty of space on the left but his curled delivery is easily cleared by Ciani, who is having a good match so far.
Gonzales plays a very good pass into the box for Ederson but the midfielder attempts to be too smart and loses possession at a vital moment.
Cavanda beats a couple of defenders before whipping a cross into the box. Ederson slides in to make contact but he can't direct an effort towards goal.
Cavanda once again sprints down the right but the full-back can't control a long pass and Legia win a goal-kick.
Lazio are enjoying a lot more of the possession as we approach the interval. Keita threatens to find space to shoot at goal but Dosa Junior defends impressively.
Gonzales delivers a corner deep and Legia manage to clear the initial cross. Hernanes fancies his chances from distance but his shot is blocked and Ederson's effort sails over the crossbar.
HALF TIME: LAZIO 0-0 LEGIA WARSAW
No stoppage time at the end of a fairly uneventful 45 minutes in Rome. Just one big chance so far, with Marchetti keeping Lazio on level terms with a brilliant save from Kosecki's strike.
If you want to check on any of the other games from across the continent this evening, here's the place to go: Europa League live scores.
Lazio didn't start the match in full flow and they haven't been at their best in truth, but towards the end of the first half they started to put the visiting defence under a bit more pressure.
The supporters that have made the trip from Warsaw should be happy with their team so far. They've shown that they can cause problems and deserve to be on level terms.
The players are now emerging from the tunnel at the Olympic Stadium. Lazio will be disappointed if they drop points at home but they must be wary of the threat posed by Legia.
In the other match in Group J, Apollon Limassol are currently 1-1 with Trabzonspor, so top spot is up for grabs at the moment. We're ready for the second half to begin in this match.
Lazio start positively and they try to get through with a direct pass but Floccari's header fails to find a man in light blue.
Lazio win a free-kick and Hernanes delivers a dangerous cross. Rzezniczak beats a couple of home players to the ball to clear the dangers.
Cavanda combines well with Onazi bu the final pass from the latter is too strong and the move breaks down. Good start to the second half by the Italians.
Legia haven't been able to find the wingers that carried the threat in the first half. Lazio, playing a higher line, are looking relaxed at the back.
Cavanda once again finds himself in some space on the right before winning a corner. Hernanes delivers the ball but Cana can't keep his header on target.
GOAL! LAZIO 1-0 LEGIA WARSAW (HERNANES)
Lazio make the breakthrough when Keita beats a couple of defenders before delivering a deep cross. Hernanes arrives late in the box to head into the bottom corner. Excellent work from both players. Advantage Lazio.
Legia Warsaw don't look as compact as they were in the first half and that explains why Lazio's midfielders are enjoying more time on the ball. No immediate response from the visitors.
Frustration is beginning to creep in for the visitors. An attack breaks down and Vrodljak responds by hauling down Ederson before Lazio can launch a counter attack.
Cavanda is under pressure facing his own goal but he turns Kosecki well and eventually wins a free-kick. The full-back has been excellent for the hosts tonight.
Broz sprints forward from full-back and attempts to pick out Saganowski in the middle but Cana does well to get a block in before the striker can pull the trigger.
Hernanes is beginning to show us what he can do in midfield as he delights the crowd with a couple of neat touches. Miroslav Klose is warming up on the sidelines but he might be saved for this weekend's Rome derby.
The tricky Keita wins a free-kick when he beats Furman to the ball. Hernanes is obviously full of confidence but he fires his effort over the crossbar from 30 yards.
YELLOW CARD! Ciani is cautioned for pulling down Kosecki as the winger threatened to advance towards goal.
CLOSE! Lazio break quickly out of defence and Hernanes picks the ball up on the left wing before cutting inside to drill the ball against the post. So close to a second for the midfielder!
SHOT! Ojamaa is gifted too much room by Lazio and he responds by firing the ball at goal. Marchetti is barely troubled though as he collects the low effort.
SUBSTIUTION: Saganowski is replaced and Kucharczyk comes on for the visitors.
CLOSE! Ederson leaves a couple of Legia defenders behind before dragging a shot wide of the far post.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Cristian Ledesma replaces Ederson for the hosts, while Vrodljak comes off Tomasz Jodlowiec.
Lazio would feel much better if they could find another goal. They deserve their lead but Legia still carry a threat on the break.
Legia need to keep the ball better and that's something they've just been unable to do since the break. It's not a sell out tonight but it's been very loud since the goal.
CHANCE! Kucharczyk delivers a good cross but Radovic can't keep his header down at the back post.
SUBSTITUTION: The goalscorer Hernanes is given a rest with 15 minutes left and Senad Lulic comes off the bench to replace the midfielder.
Legia win a free-kick on the left side of midfield and Furman delivers a deep cross. Marchetti comes off his line and punches the ball clear.
Kosecki threatens to burst into the box but Cavanda once again catches his man to put the ball out for a corner. Junior gets his head on the following delivery but it's a poor effort.
Legia are moving further up the field now and it's been a while since we saw a Lazio attack. Is there another goal in this match?
CHANCE! Big mistake from Radovic. Legia pass the ball around impressively and the playmaker eventually gains possession in the box. Radovic should shoot immediately but he wastes time before being dispossessed.
SUBSTITUTION: Diego Novaretti comes on to replace Keita as Vladimir Petkovic looks to shut up shop.
Novaretti may have been brought on to help the defence but he almost bursts through the Legia defence with a great run before falling at the last hurdle.
It's a bit quieter inside the ground now. Legia will be desperate for one more chance before the final whistle.
Ojamaa breaks free on the right wing but his cross is weak and Cana clears the danger with ease.
SHOT! Cavanda clips a cross to Lulic, who takes a touch before seeing his powerful effort deflected wide.
SAVE! Novaretti rises highest to head towards the goal but Skaba reacts well to push the ball to safety.
There's a brief worrying moment for Lazio when Ojamaa picks up the ball in the box but Cavanda once again defends impressively to win the ball. Three minutes stoppage time.
No question who is man of the match for me. Cavanda wins a 50/50 challenge for what seems like the 20th time this evening to stop another weaving run from Kosecki. The Lazio full-back has been excellent.
FULL TIME: LAZIO 1-0 LEGIA WARSAW
It's all over in Rome. Lazio will have many more nights that are more comfortable than this one but they managed to do just enough against a spirited Legia Warsaw side.
The one moment of quality from Keita and Hernanes was enough tonight but Lazio must improve if they are to go far in this competition.
That's all from me tonight. Stay with Sports Mole for reports and reaction from across Europe. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
