Lazio have had their five game unbeaten run ended after a stubborn Genoa side won 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Sunday.
The capital side had a majority of the possession and plenty of shots at goal, but the visitors made the most of their few chances when Juraj Kucka gave the away side the lead and Alberto Gilardino secured the win from the penalty spot.
Genoa shot-stopper Mattia Perin was required to make an excellent save early on when Bruno Pereirinha’s cross was met by Miroslav Klose’s head in the box. Seconds later the young keeper was beaten by Klose but the German’s shot petered wide of the post.
Lazio felt they should have had a penalty when Davide Biondini appeared to tug Antonio Candreva down in the area, but Dino Tommasi waved play on. The hosts responded with a sustained period of attacking-play only halted by Perin parrying Candreva’s dangerous free kick out of play.
The Biancazzurri have had only three clean sheets at home so far this season, and it showed late in the first half when Giovanni Marshese’s darting run found Gilardino in the box who couldn’t angle his header on target. Given his recent form, the 31 year-old should have done better with his side’s only chance of the first half.
The visitors began the second period knowing they needed to improve, and Gasperini looked to change the Grifone approach by bringing on Ioannis Fetfatzidis for Marchese. However Lazio continued to dominate and had a second penalty appeal denied when Felipe Anderson fired the ball into Antonelli’s trailing arm from close range.
Despite showing all the signs of scoring eventually, Lazio conceded on the hour mark when Kucka held off Luis Pedro Cavanda to drill the ball low into the bottom corner past Federico Marchetti. Petkovic responded by bringing on Ederson and Brayan Perea. On the other bench, Sebastian Di Maio replaced the goal scorer Kucka as Genoa looked to grind out the result.
But things only got better for the visitors when Michael Ciani clearly swiped at the ball with his hand, leaving Tommasi no choice but to award the penalty. Gilardino stepped up and scored his fifth of the season.
The result means Lazio have failed to beat Genoa in their last five meetings and Petkovic will hope he can get his side back into the swing of things if they are to have European football next season. Genoa have now gained 10 points out of a possible 15 under coach Gasperini and will look to continue climbing the table in this fashion.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
