Lazio did it the hard way at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening as they beat relegated Bologna 1-0 with the last kick of the game.
The home side dominated much of the game but looked set to be frustrated by Dejan Stojanovic until a last minute foul by Archimede Morleo gave Lucas Biglia the chance to smash home his penalty with seconds remaining.
Keita went on a great run down the left flank in the opening ten minutes, beating his marker before firing a shot across the face of goal that went narrowly wide.
The Spaniard was at the centre of all Lazio’s attacks and again got in behind the Bologna defence following a great through ball, but couldn’t find the right pass inside the area with two teammates waiting.
The home side continued to dominate and Pereirinha found himself with time inside the area following a botched clearance, but Frederik Sorensen got back in time to make an important block.
Lazio were determined to break the deadlock before the interval, but were frequently denied by the excellent Dejan Stojanovic in goal. A training ground set piece from the Biancoceleste saw Lucas Biglia lay the ball off to Antonio Candreva, who unleashed a devastating drive from 25 yards that was well parried.
Candreva came close again before the end of the half, cutting in from the right with five minutes remaining of the half and hitting a shot that picked up a deflection and cannoned off the outside of the post.
Bologna came out for the second half looking to get a foothold in the game and created a great chance ten minutes in. Jose Crespo sent in a cross from the right that Berisha failed to clear fully and the ball fell to Ibson. The Brazilian had time to set himself but was denied from close range by an excellent sprawling save from Lazio’s Albanian international.
The visitors again came close to opening the scoring against the run of play with 15 minutes remaining. A cross field pass found Archimede Morleo with space on the left to send in a low cross, but Federico Rodriguez directed his finish from nine yards just wide of the target.
With less than a minute remaining, Felipe Anderson burst into the Bologna area and was cut down by a reckless Morleo challenge. Fabio Maresca pointed to the spot and Lucas Biglia smashed home from 12 yards to give his side a hard-fought three points to end the season.
Follow Alasdair Mackenzie on Twitter: @olimpiacalcio
