Zaccagni: ‘Lazio were almost perfect, we feel destroyed’ | OneFootball

Mattia Zaccagni admits Lazio feel ‘destroyed’ after their Europa League quarter-final exit to Bodo/Glimt on penalties. ‘The regret is that we were almost perfect.’

It was a dramatic night at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Aquile knew they needed something extraordinary to overturn the 2-0 first leg defeat in Norway.

It had almost been achieved, as Taty Castellanos got one back before the Tijjani Noslin tap-in at the 93rd minute forced extra time, after which Boulaye Dia’s header had turned the tie around completely.

However, Andreas Helmersen nodded in on 109 minutes to level the tie on aggregate again, with Loum Tchaouna, Noslin and Taty Castellanos efforts letting Lazio down in the penalty shoot-out.

Bodo/Glimt go through to face Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League semi-final, while the other clash is between Athletic Club and Manchester United.

Zaccagni distraught at Lazio capitulation

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 17: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio in action during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S. Lazio and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Olimpico on April 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“We are destroyed. We had given so much, we did everything we needed to do, perhaps we could’ve paid more attention on the late goal, but then penalties are a lottery. It’s so sad,” Zaccagni told Sky Sport Italia.

Matteo Guendouzi, who was one of the few players who actually managed to convert the penalty in the shoot-out, seemed furious at the end and stormed off angrily. Was he critical because some didn’t feel ready to step up?

“No, he wasn’t referring to that, everyone expresses their anger in different ways. We need to keep clear heads in these situations too and get back on track, because we’ve got to focus on Serie A now.”

Lazio had started the Europa League so well, topping the table in this new format, but their form both domestically and in Europe has been stuttering for a while.

Part of that is down to injuries, as Nuno Tavares came on as a substitute and was forced off again in tears after suffering another setback.

“The regret is that we were almost perfect. We had 120 minutes with high intensity, we fought for every ball, that was what the coach asked of us tonight,” continued Zaccagni.

“Now we need to have our say in Serie A. As captain, I have never felt so proud of this team, because we gave absolutely everything we had. The fans really helped us too.”