Lazio give Ravel Morrison Europa League chance at Rosenborg

Ravel Morrison will get a chance to prove his worth to Lazio coach Silvio Pioli against Rosenborg in the Europa League on Thursday.Morrison, 22, has featured only three times in Serie A since arriving on a free transfer in the summer, getting just over 50 minutes of action.Last month, the former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder hinted at a January moved on Twitter.Pioli, meanwhile, criticised him for not learning Italian or getting to grips with his tactics.

But with the manager's focus on Sunday's city derby against Roma in Serie A, he is resting many first team regulars for the trip to Norway.

That hands Morrison his chance, and Pioli told a news conference on Wednesday: "It could be his night.

"He's training well and is getting more and more used to our team's way of playing, and tomorrow could be his chance."

Pioli has left Marco Parolo and Felipe Anderson behind in Rome and is also without defender Stefan De Vrij, whose absence will stretch into 2016.

"Lazio announces that Stefan De Vrij underwent surgery in Antwerp on a femoral micro-fracture and a lateral arthroscope of the left knee," a statement on the club's official website said.

It confirmed that the Dutch defender will be out "for approximately six months."

Lazio, with two Europa League wins and a draw to their name so far, would need just a point from their remaining two games to reach the knockout phase of the tournament if they beat Rosenborg.

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Roma dump Lazio late to secure Champions League group stage place

Roma booked their place in the group stage of next season's Champions League with a dramatic 2-1 derby win over Lazio on Monday.

Juan Manuel Iturbe put the nominal visitors ahead at the Stadio Olimpico, but Filip Djordjevic levelled for the hosts, who needed a win to move above their biggest rivals.

A header from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa two minutes later decided the derby in Roma's favour and put them into the Champions League, leaving Lazio with a thrilling final to come next weekend when they head to Napoli.

They need to avoid defeat there to secure third, but losing would see Napoli move above them on the final day of the season and relegate Lazio to the Europa League.

With Lazio needing a win to move ahead of Roma and lead the race for a place in the Champions League going into the final weekend, it was inevitable that they showed more desire to get the points.

Roma, meanwhile, needed just a point to remain ahead on that race and a win to secure second with a game to spare and their initial focus was on defending.

Antonio Candreva created the first moment of danger when he got round the back of the Roma defence and sent in a low cross which was blocked and nearly fell for Miroslav Klose just in front of goal.

Another cross from Candreva was headed wide of the far post from just five yards out by the German striker, who was as stunned as most of the Stadio Olimpico that the ball had not hit the back of the net.

Roma changed their approach in the second half with a draw no longer seeming to be their aim, and the game opened up.

Victor Ibarbo sent a shot wide which seemed as easy as Klose's chance before Alessandro Florenzi had an effort deflected wide.

It was Roma's turn to dominate the derby and they took the lead in the 73rd minute with Iturbe finishing off an excellent team move.

Radja Nainggolan slipped the ball through to Ibarbo, who did not bring the ball under control, but that actually favoured him as it made room for a low cross which Iturbe met six yards out to poke in.

Lazio were forced to respond to chase their Champions League dream and it was not long before they levelled.

Felipe Anderson's cross was headed back across goal intelligently by Klose and Djordjevic just had to make contact with his head to bring the hosts level.

Roma this time did not sit back and settle for the draw the way they had done at the start of the game and a free-kick saw them regain the lead with just five minutes remaining.

Yanga-Mbiwa's flicked header guided the ball into the far corner of Federico Marchetti's goal to earn the Giallorossi their win and place in the Champions League next season.

Miroslav Klose nets twice as Lazio hammer Fiorentina

Lazio moved up to third in Serie A on Monday night with an impressive 4-0 win over a Fiorentina side who trailed them by just a point coming into this Stadio Olimpico clash.

Miroslav Klose was on target twice for the Biancocelesti, who threw their hat into the ring for a place in the Champions League next season.

Lucas Biglia and Antonio Candreva had already paved the way for a victory against a side who looked a shadow of the one which won 2-1 at Juventus in the Coppa Italia last Thursday.

Lazio made a flying start with a goal after only five minutes, Biglia beating Neto with his shot from outside the penalty area.

It was a sign of things to come, even though Lazio had to wait almost an hour before they doubled their lead.

Klose wasted a good chance with only Neto to beat while Biglia went close with another distance effort.

Neto came to Fiorentina's rescue again early in the second half - before a foul by Nenad Tomovic on Felipe Anderson - as he cut inside the penalty area and gave Candreva the chance to send Neto the wrong way from the penalty spot, as he duly did.

Ten minutes passed before Klose finally got his name on the scoresheet to underline Lazio's supremacy, nodding in from close range after Neto parried Candreva's shot.

The German World Cup winner added his second and Lazio's fourth 10 minutes later, once again showing his predatory instinct when Neto only parried a shot from Keita to score at the second attempt for his fifth goal in the last seven 

Felipe Anderson's brace leads Lazio to victory at Torino

Lazio exerted some pressure on city rivals Roma with a 2-0 win at Torino which has the Biancocelesti breathing down the necks of the Giallorossi.

Felipe Anderson scored two goals in seven minutes to earn Stefano Pioli's men a win which gives them a three-point cushion over Napoli in the hunt for the third Champions League berth on offer to Serie A.

However, thanks to a run of five wins in a row, Lazio may now fancy their 

chances of overtaking Roma some time between now and when they meet for what could be a decisive derby on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Having seen their 12-game unbeaten run ended by Udinese last weekend, Torino were keen not to lose a third game in a week having also gone down 3-1 at Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League on Thursday.

They made a promising start at the Stadio Olimpico with Amauri, preferred to Fabio Quagliarella in the Granata attack, testing Federico Marchetti with a header.

The Lazio goalkeeper made a save, but only played the ball up for Josef Martinez, whose header missed the right-hand post.

That proved to be the best chance of the first half and, ultimately, Torino's biggest opportunity of the game.

As time wore on, the home team started to show the strain of their trip to Russia and Lazio started to gain the upper hand.

The heavy pitch caused by the relentless rain did not help Torino's tired legs, but it did not cause any problems for Felipe Anderson who took matters into his own hands, skipping past three Torino defenders before placing his shot low into the bottom left-hand corner in the 71st minute.

It was Anderson who added the second seven minutes later, tucking Miroslav Klose's throughball past Daniele Padelli, who could only deflect the ball into the far corner of his own goal.

Amauri did go close with another header, but the stuffing had been knocked out of Torino, who will look to bounce back in their Europa League return against Zenit on Thursday.

Lazio 2-0 Hellas Verona

Lazio reeled off their sixth consecutive Serie A win on Sunday when they claimed a 2-0 triumph over Hellas Verona.

Looking to keep the pressure on second-place Roma, Lazio took the lead when Felipe Anderson scored his ninth goal of the campaign in the fourth minute.

Not long after, Vangelis Moras nearly pulled the visitors level but he was denied by the post.

After Lazio's Lucas Biglia hit the crossbar in the 27th minute, the hosts doubled 

The Biancoceleste almost added to their advantage but Felipe Anderson hit the bar just past the hour mark.

The outcome at the Stadio Olimpico has kept Lazio in third place and just one point behind city rivals Roma, who won 1-0 at Cesena.

Hellas, unbeaten in their previous four games, did not produce the same performance that saw them defeat Napoli 2-0 last week.

They have dropped two places to 16th in the standings.

Lazio went into the contest having given away just one goal in their last five games.

They hardly wasted any time in moving in front, with Felipe Anderson getting past his marker and headed Dustan Basta's cross from the left past Hellas Verona goalkeeper Francesco Benussi for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Verona were unlucky not to pull level shortly after when Moras' right-footed attempt from six yards beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti but found the woodwork.

It proved to be their best chance of the match and Lazio twice had the opportunity to double their lead.

Marco Parolo's stinging drive from 30 yards was saved by Benussi and the keeper was called on again to fully stretch to clear Miroslav Klose's attempt from inside the box.

The hosts continued to press forward and were almost rewarded but Biglia's 30-yard volley hit the bar with Benussi already beaten.

Benussi then kept out Candreva's 30-yard effort but Lazio finally added to their advantage before the interval.

Candreva was fouled just outside the area and the Italy international struck a powerful free-kick past Benussi to make it 2-0.

The visitors struggled to break through a Lazio defence which has been getting better week by week.

Lazio almost made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute but Felipe Anderson saw his right-footed shot from 14 yards rattle the crossbar with Benussi rooted to the spot.

The home side eased to victory the rest of the way.

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Lazio's Felipe Anderson has stolen Paulo Dybala's Serie A shine

Paulo Dybala was in attendance for the Clasico on Sunday night. The Palermo "Pibe d'Oro" snapped a selfie at the Camp Nou and posted it on his Twitter.

When a Lionel Messi impersonator prank-called him for Argentine radio station earlier this month, he had told the pretend Pulga: "I'd swim to Barcelona. After all, I'd only have to cross the Mediterranean."

His dream of playing alongside Messi would appear, at least in the short-term, to be more likely to happen with Argentina than Barcelona. A transfer ban means the La Liga leaders are unable to sign anyone until 2016 and besides acquiring another forward isn't a priority. Not when Luis Enrique has Neymar and Luis Suarez accompanying Messi.

The latest indications are that Dybala's entourage have instead expressed a preference to stay in Italy with Juventus, a club flush from the money they have already earned from the Champions League which could yet rise to €73.2 million upon qualification for the semifinals. They're apparently moving fast and occupying pole position.

Whether the 21-year-old's head has been turned or not by all the speculation, his performances have faded a little of late. Dybala hasn't scored and nor have Palermo in four games. He has gone 424 minutes without a goal. The last one came in a 2-1 defeat to Lazio in Rome.

His opponents that afternoon can lay claim to as promising a talent and one that at the moment is more in-form. For in the month before Christmas, a star was born. It shot through the night and is shining so bright as to even obscure Dybala's brilliance.

Felipe Anderson's glancing header against Verona at the weekend marked the ninth time he has found the back of the net in Serie A this season. "Sempre lui!" proclaimed Sky Italia's commentator. "It's always him!" And it set Lazio on course for a sixth straight win, a feat they haven't achieved in the league in almost eight years.

They have hit 14 goals in that run and young Felipao has been involved in no fewer than six of them. In gambling and basketball, there's a phenomenon known as the hot hand to describe when a player is on fire. In calcio, it's called the "piede caldo," the hot foot, and Anderson has had it since the beginning of December. Up until then he had started and finished only one game this season. His appearances from kickoff were limited to just three and his playing time averaged 40 minutes.

As had been the case with Dybala, particularly during his 405-day goal drought which lasted deep into the season when Palermo were in Serie B, judgement was rushed on Anderson, another "fenomeno" born in 1993. He was considered a flop. Anderson had needed time to adapt after joining for €8 million from Brazil's Santos the previous summer.

He touched down with quite the reputation. Alexandre Macia, a coach of their youth team, had insisted he was potentially better than another recent graduate of their academy, Neymar. Expectations were high and he didn't meet them. "It was very difficult at first," Anderson confessed to O Globo, "because I arrived with an ankle injury. The football was quicker and I was still recovering 

my full fitness.Tactically, it was also hard. In Italy they're strict on this. I think this is what Brazilians suffer most when they go to Europe."

There was a language barrier to breach and a culture shock to absorb too. "I didn't speak much Italian," Anderson admitted. "I did a few courses so I knew a bit before I got there but you have to be there to learn. When I went out for lunch or dinner on my own it was very complicated to order. I spent two months eating the same thing. I always asked for spaghetti carbonara and a fizzy drink. Then I had to diet to lose the weight I gained."

Once settled, integrated and in peak condition, Anderson seized his opportunity, which finally came when Antonio Candreva, then the leading assist-maker in Serie A, hobbled off clutching his thigh in Lazio's stalemate with Chievo in late November. The Italy international missed six weeks, and in the meantime Anderson blossomed.

He delivered the "coup de grace" to Varese in the Coppa Italia, then set up captain Stefano Mauri for the equaliser and scored the clincher against Parma at the Tardini to arrest Lazio's slide after three league games without a win. Mauri got served twice more in the 3-0 dismantling of Atalanta. Next, Inter did 

well to pick themselves up off the canvas after Anderson connected with a one-two at San Siro.

That performance on one of world football's great stages, "la Scala del Calcio," was some show. The first touch for his opener, which simultaneously drew the sting out of Stefan Radu's cross, took Inter captain Andrea Ranocchia out of the game and had enough backspin to bring the ball back into his path was world class. His second, an exquisitely executed volley, drew comparisons with Zinedine Zidane's against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. "It was only a matter of time before he starting doing the exceptional things he does in training in competitive matches," Marco Parolo said.

The winter break didn't interrupt Anderson's stride. Parolo swept in one of his pull-backs against Sampdoria in their first game back after the New Year, and Anderson was merciless with them. Two minutes later he doubled Lazio's lead with a zinger from outside the area. Asked to explain his side's unexpected 3-0 defeat, only their second of the season in the league, Samp coach Sinisa Mihajlovic had no doubt. "Felipe Anderson played like Cristiano Ronaldo."

Felipe Anderson drawing interest but wants to stay at Lazio, agent says

Major clubs are scouting Lazio's Felipe Anderson, according to the Brazilian's agent, but the midfielder is determined to remain in Rome.

Stefano Castagna, Felipe Anderson's representative, said the former Santos player, who has signed a new contract to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until 2020, is happy to stay with Lazio even if they don't qualify for the Champions League.

Lazio are currently third in Serie A, a spot which would put them in the Champions League play-off round next season.

Felipe Anderson has been valued at 30 million pounds but has committed his future to the Serie A club.

Castagna told Rome radio station Radiosei: "It's normal that you look to put your own interests first, but in this case, both sides' desires were satisfied. It wasn't difficult to find an agreement.

"The lad had three and a half years left on his contract so there wasn't all this rush to renew. But we've still got to applaud the president, the sporting director and the secretary for wanting this. We've made the most of the moment and we're delighted with the faith shown [in Felipe Anderson] and the possibility to continue with this project."

Felipe Anderson was reportedly scouted by Manchester United at the weekend while he has also been linked with Chelsea, but Castagna said a move is not imminent.

"There's no point talking about release clauses right now," Castagna said. "The fact that big clubs are coming to watch him just goes to show he's doing really well.

"We've signed a new contract with Lazio and he's delighted with Rome and with the fans. I also think it was a reward for what he's shown this season and particularly in recent months."

Felipe Anderson scored just once in the Europa League last season, and after failing to find the net in his first three months this season, he has scored nine times in his past 11 games.

Cagliari 1-3 Lazio

Lazio kept the heat on second-place Roma by clinching a seventh consecutive Serie A success, 3-1 at 10-man Cagliari.

Miroslav Klose put the Roman outfit ahead in the 31st minute only for Marco Sau to pull Cagliari level four minutes into the second half.

Lucas Biglia put the visitors back in front on the hour from the penalty spot after Lorenzo Crisetig brought substitute Keita down in the area.

Former Lazio defender Mobido Diakite was shown a straight red eight minutes later when he fouled Keita in the box, but Biglia sent the resulting penalty over the crossbar.

Lazio put the game out of reach with seconds remaining when Marco Parolo struck from outside the area to make it 3-1.

The win allowed Lazio to stay hot on the heels of Roma, who remained one point clear in second place, one point clear. Roma beat Napoli 1-0 earlier in the day for their second straight victory.

Cagliari, meanwhile, have not won since January 24. They have now lost four times in the last five outings at the Sant' Elia stadium and are 18th in the standings, five points adrift of safety.

Lazio dominated early possession and went ahead in the 31st minute when Felipe Anderson picked out Stefano Mauri in the box and he sent the ball through to Klose, who was left with an easy tap-in.

The hosts first tested Federico Marchetti in the 35th minute but Daniele Dessena's bullet strike from 25 yards was kept out by the visiting goalkeeper.

Lazio almost made it 2-0 early in the second half. Antonio Candreva fed Mauri in the area but his left-footed attempt was saved by Cagliari goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic.

Cagliari made no mistake at the other end. Dessena set up Sau in the box and his diagonal shot beat Marchetti as Cagliari levelled the contest.

However, the Sardinians' joy was short-lived as Lazio went back in front 11 minutes later.

The referee pointed to the spot after Keita fell in the box following contact from Crisetig and Biglia struck the spot-kick towards the near post and out of Brkic's reach.

Lazio were awarded another penalty shortly after when Keita was brought down in the box by Diakite - but this time Biglia struck his effort over the crossbar.

The Biancoceleste killed off any hopes of a Cagliari equaliser when Parolo made it 3-1 following a set-piece situation.

Danilo Cataldi set up Parolo outside the area and his 30-yard bullet strike beat Brkic.

Lazio beat Napoli to book place in Coppa Italia final

A late goal from Senad Lulic gave Lazio a 1-0 victory over Napoli on Wednesday and a place in the Coppa Italia final against Juventus.

Lazio advanced 2-1 on aggregate and will seek their third title in the last seven years in the June 7 final at their home stadium.

In the 79th minute, Lulic was left unmarked to steer home a cross from Felipe Anderson from inside the box.

Napoli argued in vain that Lazio forward Miroslav Klose was offside at the start of the move.

The result will put more pressure on Napoli boss Rafael Benitez, whose side dominated for much of the game but could not find a breakthrough.

Lulic performed more heroics late on when he cleared a late effort off the line as Lazio held on to reach their eighth Coppa Italia final.

Juventus overcame a first-leg deficit with a 3-0 win at Fiorentina on Tuesday.

Lazio 4-0 Empoli

Lazio leapfrogged Roma into second place in Serie A with a resounding 4-0 triumph over Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The Biancoceleste, who last week defeated Napoli to reach the Coppa Italia final, took a fourth-minute lead against the visitors from Tuscany through captain Stefano Mauri, while Miroslav Klose added a second in the 31st minute.

Antonio Candreva made it 3-0 before half-time and Felipe Anderson put an 

exclamation mark on proceedings in the 53rd minute to ensure an eighth straight Serie A win for Stefano Pioli's men.

Lazio cruised to victory, despite being forced to play a man down from the 58th minute after substitute Diego Novaretti was sent off for a second yellow card.

The winners have climbed one point clear of Roma, who drew 1-1 at Torino on Sunday.

The top two teams in Serie A will qualify directly for next season's Champions League.

Empoli, with just one victory away from home this season, have dropped to 15th place.

The Roman outfit went in front when Mauri nodded Luis Cavanda's cross past Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

Lazio doubled their lead in the 31st minute. A perfect cross from Cavanda found Klose in the area and his header towards the bottom left corner of goal beat Sepe.

The hosts made their first substitution in the 40th minute when Novaretti replaced an injured Stefan de Vrij.

Lazio made it 3-0 one minute before the break when Candreva got past his marker and drilled a right-footed bullet from 30 yards past Sepe, who was rooted to the spot.

The home side continued where they left off after the re-start and got their fourth after Sepe could not hold on to Felipe Anderson's powerful shot.

The Brazilian midfielder was first to the rebound and smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Novaretti was then sent off following his late challenge on Empoli's Mario Rui but it did not hinder Lazio, who kept a clean sheet for the fifth time in their last six games and remained the hottest team in Italy.

Stefano Pioli pleased with Lazio's lofty Serie A position

Lazio coach Stefano Pioli has told his players not to take the foot off the pedal after thrashing Empoli on Sunday and leapfrogging Roma into second place in Serie A.

The Biancocelesti rolled to their eighth straight victory at the Stadio Olimpico and now have their noses in front of city rivals Roma in the race for automatic qualification for the Champions League.

Serie A leaders Juventus, who slumped to a shock defeat at bottom-side Parma on Saturday, are 12 points clear of Lazio with eight rounds still to play in Italy's top flight.

"[Roma coach] Rudi Garcia is right, this is not the final result," Pioli said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "We are satisfied with our current position.

"Of course this streak means something, but we only got here by taking it one game at a time and we must not let go of that approach until the end of the season. This was the most important week to really show our maturity."

Lazio won the second leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal at Napoli in midweek.

Pioli said: "We won the Coppa Italia semi-final and the fans welcomed us back at 2am, so a normal team could easily slip into complacency.

"Luckily, my team is not normal. I have so much quality and such players of character that they didn't let it get to them."

There were a couple of things that had Pioli worried after Sunday's game.

Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij and Italian midfielder Marco Parolo sustained injuries against Empoli.

Tests done on Parolo revealed a fractured rib and the Italy international will be sidelined for a month, while De Vrij will undergo a scan on Tuesday after sustaining a knock on his left knee.

"I'm sure those that are called upon will certainly give the right response," Pioli said.

Pioli repeated a theme, however, that he is likely to stress all week in training as his players prepare to face Juve in a top-of-the-table showdown next Saturday.

"It's still too early to talk, as there are eight rounds to go and the Coppa Italia final," he said. "I keep telling my players we must get the maximum of our potential, but we don't know what that is yet.

"If the campaign ended now, then we could celebrate, but it doesn't and therefore we have to remain concentrated."

Victory in Turin next weekend would see Lazio cut the gap with Juve to nine points.

Lazio are one point clear of Roma, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

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Lazio move ahead of rivals Roma

SS Lazio's winning streak continued with a 4-0 victory against Empoli FC that lifted them into second spot ahead of city rivals AS Roma, who could only draw 1-1 at Torino FC.
• SS Lazio secure an eighth consecutive Serie A victory by beating Empoli FC 4-0.
• Stefano Mauri, Miroslav Klose and Antonio Candreva register first-half strikes.
• Felipe Anderson adds fourth, before Biancocelesti lose Diego Novaretti to a red card.
• The win moves Lazio a point ahead of city rivals AS Roma, who draw 1-1 at Torino FC.
• Alessandro Florenzi's second-half penalty puts Giallorossi ahead before Maxi López levels.
• SSC Napoli secure an important 3-0 victory against ACF Fiorentina.
• The result allows Rafael Benítez's side to hurdle their opponents into fourth spot.
• Strikes from Dries Mertens, Marek Hamšík and José Callejón seal the win.
• AC Milan salvage a 1-1 stalemate at home to UC Sampdoria.
• Nigel De Jong cancels out Roberto Soriano's effort for sixth-placed Sampdoria.
• Atalanta BC ease relegation fears by downing US Sassuolo Calcio 2-1.
• AC Cesena now seven points from safety after a 1-0 loss to AC Chievo Verona.
• US Città di Palermo earn first victory in seven games, winning 3-1 at Udinese Calcio.
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Juventus defeat second-placed Lazio to move 15 points clear atop Serie A

Juventus moved ever closer to clinching a fourth straight Serie A title by beating nearest challengers Lazio 2-0 in Turin.

First-half goals from Carlos Tevez -- his 26th of the season in all competitions -- and centre-back Leonardo Bonucci pushed Juve 15 points clear of second place with only seven games remaining.

Lazio did mount a late rally at the Juventus Stadium but the dismissal of midfielder Danilo Cataldi for a heavy tackle on Tevez ended their challenge.

The result brought Lazio's run of six consecutive victories to an end and the Biancocelesti could be dragged back into third place should their city rivals Roma beat Atalanta in the capital on Sunday.

After some mutual excursions into enemy territory, Juve began to get a grip on proceedings and went close with a Claudio Marchisio drive in the 13th minute.

Only four minutes later Tevez caught Lazio cold with a stunning opening goal.

Freed up in a dangerous area by Arturo Vidal, the Argentinian took one touch to break into the area before beating Federico Marchetti with a left-footed finish.

Gianluigi Buffon had to drop low to deny Felipe Anderson a quick equaliser, with Lazio taking heart from the missed opportunity and going even closer in the 25th minute.

Giorgio Chiellini did just enough to put Miroslav Klose off as the German looked to scoop the ball past Buffon from close range.

Juve would capitalise on the Romans' disappointment by doubling their lead before the half-hour mark.

Bonucci found himself on the end of a swift counter-attack and the centre-back smashed home his fourth goal of the season in the form of a daisy-cutter that Marchetti could do nothing about.

He was back in the heart of Juve's defence to close down Anderson before watching Lucas Biglia make a mess of an easy pass to Dusan Basta in a shooting position.

Then, two minutes into stoppage time, Patrice Evra rose to meet Vidal's cross into the Lazio box only to miss the target by a matter of inches.

Lazio looked lively when play resumed with Antonio Candreva winning a corner thanks to a heavy deflection off Chiellini.

The Juve defender soon gave a free-kick away in a dangerous area and Buffon had to fling his gloves up to push Candreva's attempt over the bar.

Lazio were buoyed by their near misses and Biglia troubled Buffon with a low attempt before Chiellini was forced to put Basta's strike out for a corner.

The jig was finally up for the southerners when, one minute from full-time, Cataldi launched himself into Tevez's legs from behind to earn a straight red card.