Live Commentary: Stuttgart 0-2 Lazio - as it happened

Lazio travelled to Suttgart for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on a run of 10 matches unbeaten in the competition.

Stuttgart had gone four home matches without a win in Europe and fell behind early on when Ederson drove a measured volley into the bottom corner.

The visitors extended their advantage after the break through Ogenyi Onazi, who finished coolly after beating three players with a mazy run.

Look back at an impressive away performance from Vladimir Petkovic's side with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.

7.59pmThat just about does it for our coverage from Stuttgart. Thanks for joining us and be sure to get your next Europa League fix with Sports Mole's live text commentary of Inter Milan's trip to Tottenham Hotspur, which can be found by clicking here. Good evening!

7.57pmThe Rome giants look a strong bet in this competition and have still now beaten in the Europa League this season, a run that now stretches to 11 matches.

7.55pmLazio see out the final few minutes comfortably to take a commanding lead back to the Olimpico. Stuttgart have failed to win at home in the Europa League for the fifth successive match and qualification for the last eight now looks a tall order.

7.53pmFULL-TIME: Stuttgart 0-2 Lazio

90 min+3Stuttgart have four minutes of stoppage time to find a late response as Harnik and Traore surge forward. Yet again Boka's final ball is way below the required standard and gives Ciani the chance to hammer clear.

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90 min+1SHOT! Lulic has been quiet all night but finally has an impact, threading a neat through-ball to Floccari on the counter. The striker's shot from a tight angle needs a forceful save from Ulreich to keep the deficit at 2-0. Stuttgart look dead on their feet in stoppage time.

89 minDOUBLE YELLOW CARD! Harnik and Cana share heated words and a shove as things get heated in the closing stages. Both players are cautioned, which is bad news for Lazio as they now be without the midfielder for the second leg as he collects a one-match ban.

87 minLAZIO SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make their final change, bringing on Sergio Floccari to replace Libor Kozak. The Czech striker was a tireless runner all night and deserves a few minutes rest in the closing stages.

85 minSAVE! Marchetti proves his qualities once more with a low save from close range. Stuttgart skipper Tasci was up from the back but could not generate enough power on his header to beat the keeper from six yards.

83 minMacheda comes off second best after losing out to Ciani in an eye-watering challenge. The striker has struggled all night to breach a stern Lazio defence. This is the impressive rearguard which helped the Roma giants climb into Serie A title contention before Christmas.

81 minSHOT! Lazio are let off the hook as Hajnal sends a tame effort straight into the wall. The ball bounces back to the substitute, but with a second strike he does little better and scuffs a low shot straight to Marchetti. That just about sums up a frustrating night for the home side.

79 minBoka wins a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area after a drawing a foul following a neat exchange with Macheda. If anything this set piece might be too close, but Stuttgart desperately need to take this chance to test Marchetti!

77 minCHANCE! Candreva comes close to effectively ending the tie after strong approach play from Kozak. The midfielder had time at the far post but went for power over placement and drove well over the crossbar.

74 minLAZIO SUBSTITUTION: Another conservative change from Petkovic, and why not with a two-goal lead? Alvaro Gonzalez comes on for Hernanes and will provide stamina and an eye for a tackle in central midfield.

72 minFor the first time since the break Stuttgart manage to press the visitors deep, but Harnik's attempted flick to Macheda is intercepted by a last-ditch challenge from Cana.

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70 minLazio put together at least 10 passes to take the sting out of any Stuttgart response by controlling possession. The home side may have two strikers on the pitch but their effectiveness is limited without quality delivery from wide areas.

67 minLAZIO SUBSTITUTION: Petkovic decides to bring on fresh legs in midfield, swapping the first goalscorer Ederson for the experienced Ledesma.

65 minCHANCE! Okazaki meets a lofted pass from Traore but can only turn a soft volley wide from eight yards. The Japanese playmaker has had enough chances to register tonight but continues to lack a clinical edge when it counts.

63 minSHOT! The home side look stunned and nearly fall futher behind as Hernanes fires just wide with a free kick from 25 yards. Tonight's match has been a harsh lesson for Stuttgart that lapses in concentration can be ruthlessly punished in European football.

60 minOnazi has just put Lazio two goals to the good with a stunning solo run on the counter. The young Nigerian showed quick feet to beat Gentner and poked past Ulreich with a composed finish. What a goal from the midfielder and Stuttgart have it all to do now!

58 minGOAL! Stuttgart 0-2 Lazio (Onazi)

56 minSTUTTGART SUBSTITUTION: Labbadia makes an early attacking change and decides to bring on Martin Harnik. The Austrian striker replaces Kvist as the home side opt to switch to a formation featuring two strikers.

54 minBoth sides are struggling to pass in the final third, but Stuttgart are just about edging possession without causing Marchetti any major problems. Lazio look content to launch long diagonal balls and hold their advantage at this stage, which is in stark contrast to an open first half.

52 minBoka quickly concedes another free kick for a clumsy challenge on Candreva. Hernanes takes his time to line up the set piece but his cross is easily cleared by the home side.

49 minYELLOW CARD! Tasci becomes the first Stuttgart player to be booked, for a late tackle on Kozak. The skipper can have no complaints after lunging in from behind on the striker.

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47 minStuttgart get the second half underway and quickly win a free kick in the final third thanks to Macheda. Hajnal fires into the penalty area but Marchetti is well placed to punch away and gets good distance on the clearance.

7.05pmExpect Harnik to be introduced in the second half if Stuttgart are unable to find an equaliser. Lazio also have willing runner Sergio Floccari in reserve, so expect chances at both ends in the closing stages.

7.02pmStuttgart lost Maxim just before the interval to injury but have shown enough to keep the home fans in good spirits. Traore and Okazaki look strong going forward, while Gentner is trying to drive the midfield forward. What the German side desperately need is quality delivery in the final third, which was definitely lacking in the first half.

6.59pmPetkovic promised that his side would attack tonight and Lazio's pressing style has led to an extremely open encounter so far. Stuttgart have struggled to contain Candreva on the right, while Ederson has threatened to add to his opener throughout.

6.56pmAll the pre-match talk focused around Federico Macheda's chance to shine against his first club, but the striker has been on the periphery so far. Okazaki has been bright for the home side and forced a strong save from Marchetti early on.

6.53pmQuite how an entertaining first half has only managaed to produce just a single goal is baffling, but Lazio have the edge. Ederson made the breakthrough after 21 minutes after meeting a loose ball with a measured volley. Both sides have had more than one opportunity to score in the first 45 minutes, with Stuttgart guilty of some wasteful finishing.

6.50pmHALF-TIME: Stuttgart 0-1 Lazio

45 min+2YELLOW CARD! Ciani is booked just before the break after tussling with Tasci in the penalty area before a late free kick for the home side. Stuttgart get the chance to re-take but a poor cross goes straight into the grateful arms of Marchettin under absolutely no pressure.

45 min+1STUTTGART SUBSTITUTION: Maxim has not been cleared fit to return after that challenge with Hernanes, forcing Stuttgart to make a change before the break. Creative midfielder Hajnal has taken his place in first-half stoppage time.

44 minCHANCE! Another opportunity comes quickly, but this time it is the home side's best opening by some distance. Okazaki beat his marker and Macheda to meet a diagonal ball but with the goal at his mercy failed to find the target with a header from six yards. The home side should have equalised there without question!

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42 minTraore robs Candreva and launches a Stuttgart counter, but once again their final ball is a huge disappointment. Lazio waste no time in breaking and Ederson came within inches of getting his second header after beating two defenders to aim a low header just wide.

39 minYELLOW CARD! Hernanes has just become the first player to be booked tonight for a late challenge on Maxim. Both players were airborne early to meet the ball but the Brazilian's outstretched arm left Maxim with a bloody nose. A justified early caution for the playmaker, who does have a cynical edge in his game that was evident on that occasion.

36 minSCORE UPDATE! A quick piece of goal news from another Europa League tie tonight. Rucescu has put Steaua Bucharest 1-0 up at home to Chelsea from the penalty spot. Further proof that in the competition it is wise to expect the unpredictable.

Written by

Liam Power

Live Commentary: Stuttgart 0-2 Lazio - as it happened

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