Lazio is still keeping its Scudetto dream after defeating in-form Genoa in a five goal thriller at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
The Simeone Inzaghi’s men continued where they stopped after dislodging Inter Milan from the second spot to be a pint adrift of leaders, Juventus, when they went ahead within two minutes through Adam Marusic who exchanged passes with
Felipe Caicedo and resisted Andrea Masiello’s attempt to shoulder-charge him. This gave him the chance to batter through between Masiello and Adam Soumaoro and blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
After gathering eight points from their last four games, Genoa seemed to have found their mojo again but remained in the relegation zone.
They threatened the visitors through efforts from Peter Ankersen, who failed to get a clean contact on a dangerous cross five yards from goal. They later had a double chance when Davide Biraschi’s strike was deflected by Caicedo, which turned into an assist for Favilli whose shot forced a fantastic save off Strakosha. Antonio Sanabria failed to convert the rebound, which he blasted off target.
With one goal advantage, Lazio began to peg back the hosts with a ferocious attacking game in the second interval. Immobile hit the side-netting courtesy of a magnificent Sergej Milinkovic cross-field pass. Luis Alberto also had his curler going wide of the far post.
Lazio later doubled their lead with Ciro Immobile netting his 27th Serie A goal in 25 games. Milinkovic-Savic’s through ball was back-heeled by Caicedo for Immobile to drill home from 12 yards. Immobile’s goal has put him at par with Antonio Valentin Angelillo, who achieved the same feat during the 1958-59 season.
Genoa reduced the deficit with a good strike from Francesco Cassata. He was left unmarked on the edge of the box to swing the right boot first time into the top corner from Ankersen’s assist.
Lazio restored their two-goal lead with a Cataldi free-kick, which curled over the wall and into the net, leaving Perin rooted to the spot.
Perin kept the scoreline at 3-1 for Genoa when he rushed off his line to clear a Luis Alberto pass off the feet of Joaquin Correa.
Genoa scored their second goal to ensure a nervy finish with Domenico Criscito’s penalty. VAR awarded the spot-kick after Manuel Lazzari handed the ball in the box.
Lazio will face Bologna in their next Serie A tie. Lazio are fancied at 1.48 to win Bologna, while Bologna are set at 7.17.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
