Lazio edge out Juve and retain second place

Mueez Ajao

– Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mattia Zaccagni scored as Lazio put on an attacking masterclass to beat Juventus 2-1 at home on Saturday as Maurizio Sarri’s side consolidated second place in Serie A.

– Lazio have 58 points, five ahead of AS Roma in third with nine matches left in the campaign.

– Juventus, who are fighting for a place in the top six, are seventh with 44 points, four points behind Atalanta, who occupy the final European qualification spot.

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– The hosts broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval when Milinkovic-Savic converted a cross inside the box with a half-volley from close range.

– Yet the euphoria inside the Stadio Olimpico lasted only four minutes before Adrien Rabiot bundled in the equaliser from a corner, after Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel had saved Gleison Bremer’s header.

– Lazio’s attacking prowess was evident eight minutes into the second half, when Luis Alberto back-heeled the ball to tee up Zaccagni inside the box, who placed the ball into the bottom-left corner to seal the win for the hosts.