Lazio suffer shock Coppa Italia exit as Gennaro Gattuso era begins with Mantova defeat

Lazio’s Coppa Italia campaign ended at the first hurdle after they were beaten 2-0 by Serie B side Mantova at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday, handing new manager Gennaro Gattuso a disastrous start.

Mantova produced one of the competition’s biggest early shocks by eliminating Lazio in the round of 64. The result came in Gattuso’s first match in charge of the Italian club, with Lazio unable to find a way past their second-tier opponents despite spending much of the closing stages searching for an equaliser.

The breakthrough arrived in the 75th minute when Francesco Ruocco put Mantova ahead. Lazio then pushed forward in an attempt to level the score, but their efforts left them vulnerable in the final moments.

Mantova sealed the victory in the seventh minute of added time. Ismail Kajazo found the net with the goal left unguarded, completing a 2-0 win shortly before the referee brought the match to an end.

The defeat represents a particularly disappointing beginning for Gattuso, who has taken over at Lazio after previously failing to guide the Italy national team to the World Cup for a third successive time.

Lazio had gone much further in the previous edition of the Coppa Italia, reaching the final before losing 2-0 to Inter. Their early departure this season means they will not have the opportunity to challenge again for the trophy.

Mantova, who compete in Serie B, advance after overcoming a team from Italy’s top flight on its home ground. Their success also underlines the potential for major upsets in the opening stages of the Coppa Italia, when clubs from different levels of the Italian game meet.

The remaining round-of-64 fixtures are due to be played later on Sunday. Pisa face Empoli, Sassuolo meet Cesena, Cremonese play Sampdoria and Palermo take on Lecce.

The Coppa Italia will resume with the round of 32 in September. Lazio, however, will not be involved after their unexpected defeat, while Mantova move forward having secured one of the competition’s most notable results at this stage.