The moment of farewell finally arrived at the Stadio Olimpico: Pedro played his last match in white and blue jersey enjoying goals, victories, smiles, and leaving a deep mark on the hearts of the Biancocelesti family.
Against Pisa, on the final matchday of Serie A, the Tenerife-born started in Skipper role and scored a decider that, along with his overall performance, earned him the MVP award of the game. But the most important thing was the love and affection he received from everyone around: teammates, family, friends, and the SS Lazio community. They all made the match an unforgettable moment in Pedro's career.
After five seasons with Lazio, Pedro has accomplished much more than just his 209 matches and 39 goals, many of them decisive. Above all, he has earned a place in the hearts of everyone who loves Lazio. About the game, the newly relegated Pisa put up a fight competing hard at the Stadio Olimpico pitch: Isak Vural fired just wide in the first 30 seconds, while Cancellieri capitalized on a slip by Bozhinov, but Adrian Semper made a superb fingertip save.
Adam Marusic nearly scored in the eighth minute with a powerful shot to the woodwork from a difficult angle, following a Cancellieri assist. Pedro joined the attempts with a trademark curling right-footed shot, but Semper got again a fingertip to it, sending the ball just wide. However, it was Pisa who took the lead in the 24th minute through a Stefano Moreo header so a comeback was needed at the Olimpico to avoid a bittersweet farewell.
The long-awaited reaction finally arrived when Belahyane nutmegged his marker down the left flank, passing the ball to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who beat his marker and expertly slotted it into the net. The equaliser was in, and the comeback needed to be completed. Then Pedro emerged, wearing the captain's armband and leading his Lazio side to victory. He did so with a superb goal, finishing off a move from the edge of the box with a precise left-footed shot that nestled inside the far post from outside the area.
It was the 35th minute, and time seemed to stand still at the Stadio Olimpico. Every heart beating inside the Biancocelesti coliseum celebrated with deep emotion the goal that ultimately secured the win and provided the ice-on-the-cake end to Pedro's unforgettable career at the club. After the final whistle everyone at the Olimpico surrounded the legend in his farewell, with emotional moments shared by teammates, family, friends and club members, closing a chapter that is already part of Lazio's history: Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma's time with the number 9 on his back.
- Match stats:
LAZIO (4-3-3): Furlanetto; Marusic, Gila (46' Provstgaard), Romagnoli, Pellegrini (82' Lazzari); Basic, Belahyane, Dele-Bashiru (76' Przyborek); Cancellieri (76' Maldini), Nosli, Pedro (60' Dia).
PISA (3-5-2): Semper; Calabaresi (77' Bettazzi), Canestrelli, Bozhinov; Leris (71' Cuadrado), Akinsamiro (46' Hojholt), Aebischer (61' Loyola), Vural, Angori; Moreo, Stojilkovic (61' Piccinini).
Goals: 24' Moreo (P), 33' Dele-Bashiru (L), 35' Pedro (L)
Bookings: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (sez. Livorno) booked 10' Gila (L), 29' Noslin (L), 73' Piccinini (P)
Goals: 24' Moreo (P), 33' Dele-Bashiru (L), 35' Pedro (L)
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