Lazio strengthened their push for a top-four spot in Serie A with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari on Monday, as the visitors finished the game with only nine players. Playing at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, Mattia Zaccagni scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, moving Lazio to fifth place, equal on 22 points with Atalanta and Fiorentina. They are now within three points of league leaders Napoli.
Match Highlights
Lazio took an early lead through Boulaye Dia, only for Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo to equalize just before half-time. In the second half, Zaccagni converted a penalty to secure his fourth goal of the season. Shortly after Lazio’s goal, Cagliari’s Yerry Mina received his second yellow card and was sent off for a foul on Valentin Castellanos. Teammate Michel Adopo followed him off the pitch after being shown a second yellow card for protesting the call, leaving Cagliari with nine players.
Balotelli Returns to Serie A with Genoa
Elsewhere in Serie A, Mario Balotelli made his much-anticipated debut for Genoa, who clinched a 1-0 win over Parma. Andrea Pinamonti scored the decisive goal with ten minutes left, lifting Genoa out of the relegation zone. Balotelli, who last played in Italy's top flight four years ago, was brought on as a late substitute and received a yellow card in stoppage time.
Serie A Standings Update
Genoa’s win moved them just above the relegation zone, where they now sit level on nine points with Parma, Cagliari, and Como. Empoli's 1-0 win over Como on the same day further impacted the standings, adding pressure to the bottom half of the table.
