trabzonspor top section with lazio draw published: thursday 12 december 2013, 23.35cet
ss lazio 0-0 trabzonspor aş
the turkish side battled to a hard-fought draw in rome to finish two points clear of their opponents at the top of group j.
trabzonspor aş held ss lazio to a goalless draw at the stadio olimpico to confirm their first-place finish in group j.
with both sides already qualified for the round of 32, lazio were looking to leapfrog the turkish side in first place and threatened repeatedly during the game, especially in the final minutes of the first half, but failed to break through the resolute defence of mustafa akçay's side.
lazio tried to attack for most of the game and pin back a side who had scored 13 goals in their first five outings in the group, but only during the final five minutes of the first half did they really threaten, coming close a few times in quick succession.
a corner by keita baldé left trabzonspor goalkeeper onur kıvrak in stranded, but sergio floccari headed just wide of the far post. another baldé set-piece troubled the turkish defence, but ederson missed the target with a overhead kick after a first attempt by giuseppe biava was blocked by kıvrak. on the cusp of half-time a felipe anderson strike just cleared the crossbar.
trabzonspor defended well after the break, limiting lazio to long-range attempts. lazio coach vladimir petković sent on miroslav klose with 15 minutes to play and the germany striker was immediately in the action - just failing to reach a low cross from fellow substitute antonio candreva. soon after candreva wasted a great opportunity himself for the home side as he headed well over from a promising position after a cross by baldé and lazio were forced to settle for second place.
