Lazio keeper scores late header in Atletico ECL draw

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has come forward and headed in an added-time equaliser to earn the Italian club a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

On the final play of the Group E match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Tuesday, Provedel — making his Champions League debut — showed off his unlikely attacking skills by meeting a cross from Luis Alberto with a glancing header.

It was a measure of revenge for Provedel, who was left fuming after Pablo Barrios scored for the Spanish visitors in the first half with a shot that took a big deflection off Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada.

“I’m going to enjoy this. But we only got one point; we didn’t win,” Provedel said, adding that he modelled his attacking style after Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.

Before kick-off, Lazio fans welcomed back Atletico coach Diego Simeone, who helped them win the 2000 Serie A title as a player and also three other trophies with the Roman club.

“Rome and Lazio will always be your home. Welcome back, Cholo, our champion of Italy,” read a banner in Italian held aloft by Lazio’s hard-core “ultra” supporters.

While this is Atletico’s 11th straight group appearance in the Champions League, Lazio are playing in the competition for only the second time in 16 seasons.

Lazio produced many more chances, with Mattia Zaccagni and Luis Alberto both going close on various occasions.

Also, Immobile failed to take advantage of an errant pass from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the second half.

Oblak then lunged to push wide a long shot from Danilo Cataldi in added time before Provedel’s goal.

Lazio lost left back Luca Pellegrini to an injury during the first half.