Lazio invited Torino to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday evening looking to continue their run of consecutive victories, however, despite controlling the majority of possession the hosts almost allowed the Granata an undeserved point as they struggled to kill off the visitors.
Argentinean midfielder Lucas Biglia gave the Biancocelesti the lead on 15 minutes, but after they allowed Torino to hit back through Alexander Farnerud it was left to substitute Miroslav Klose secure another win in his own clinical way midway through the second half.
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Lazio
Federico Marchetti – 6 – Shaky
Made a wonderful save to tip a Quagliarella strike round the post on 35 minutes, but after failing to get a strong hand on the Torino equaliser he looked uncertain when flapping at a couple of high crosses.
Luis Cavanda – 7 – Impressive
Made himself available on the right from the off and helped the Biancocelesti press the Granata high up the pitch, the only black mark against his performance was an unnecessary booking in the 24th minute.
Michael Ciani – 6.5 – Determined
Was unlucky to see his attempt to cut out a low ball find its way perfectly into the path of Farnerud for the Torino equaliser performing admirable for the rest of the game as he and partner De Vrij kept Quagliarella quiet.
Stefan De Vrij – 7 – Solid
In his debut Serie A season at the capital club and will have much more testing evenings in Rome, but held firm and distributed well from the back.
Stefan Radu – 6 – Subdued
With little coming down the Torino right the Lazio captain had a quiet night in the capital, however, with little in the way of defending required he could have shown more intent going forward.
Felipe Anderson – 6 – Quiet
Although the home sides had the greater of the first-half possession he did not demand the ball enough and was a peripheral figure throughout the opening 45 and rightly withdrawn at the break.
Lucas Biglia – 8 – Influential
Despite his expertly taking free-kick to give Lazio the lead the Argentinean was a constant source of activity for the hosts, always available to receive the ball and distribute efficiently.
Marco Parolo – 7 – Determined
Overshadowed somewhat by midfield accomplice Biglia the ex-Parma man still provided plenty of energy for the Aquile and also saw an effort sting the palms of Gillet.
Antonio Candreva – 7.5 – Lively
A constant source of attacking for the hosts and was unlucky not to double their lead on 18 minutes as he struck the post after a well worked move.
Filip Djordjevic – 7 – Useful
Whilst not the goal scoring display we have often seen so far this campaign his work rate kept the Torino defenders on their toes and provided some excellent link-up play.
Senad Lulic – 7 – Confident
Provided some positive running from the left in support of Djordjevic and his directness brought the foul that lead to the crucial opening goal.
Substitutes
Mirsolav Klose (Felipe Anderson 46 minutes) – 7.5 – Clinical
There are few other strikers in Serie A that you would want on hand when the ball is spilled in the penalty area and the veteran German proved as clinical as ever sweeping the ball home for the winner.
Eddy Onazi (Biglia 82 minutes) – 6.5 – Valuable
Continued the work of his predecessor in the middle of the park, but in truth the game was already won and the Nigerian will have consumed little energy in the final eight minutes.
Edson Braafheid (Lulic 92 minutes) – n/m
Torino
Jean-Francois Gillet – 5.5 – Weak
Could hardly be blamed for the Lazio opener, but his failure to hold Candreva’s free-kick that ultimately found its way to Klose for the winner fault was possibly a sign of some rustiness after recently returning from a long-term ban.
Nikola Maksimovic – 6 – Solid
Did not have a particularly difficult evening in Rome as the hosts struggled to create many clear-cut chances against the Torino defence and was comfortable in possession.
Kamil Glik – 6.5 – Commanding
In a challenging first-half when Torino were struggling to assert themselves the Pole was a commanding presence at the back for Giampiero Ventura’s side and made some crucial interceptions.
Emiliano Moretti – 6 – Strong
Despite the influence of Candreva and Cavanda on the match the defender patrolled the left hand side of defence well and will not be held accountable for either of the two goals conceded.
Bruno Peres – 6 – Faded
Began the match making some positive runs down the right flank, however, as the game went on did little to improve on those initial forays forward and offered very little.
Giuseppe Vives – 6.5 – Tenacious
At times fighting a lone battle in trying to reduce the influence of the Biancocelesti midfield on the match and when he did have the ball at his feet the limited movement in front of him made it a difficult night in Rome.
Alexander Farnerud – 6.5 – Wasteful
Although scoring their only goal the Swede wasted what chances Torino had twice sending weak efforts at Marchetti before blazing over after an exquisite touch. Even his goal was lucky to find the net after placing close to the Lazio stopper.
Marco Benassi – 5.5 – Ineffectual
Until he committed a foul late in the first half few could be blamed for forgetting he was on the Olimpico pitch. His second-half fared little better with an early snapshot all to contribute before his withdrawal.
Matteo Darmian –6 – Positive
Continued to press down the left hand side, but the forward runs of Cavanda in support of Candreva often saw the Italian international engaged in supporting the defensive cause.
Juan Sanchez Mino – 6 –Busy
With Quagliarella isolated in attack Mino was constantly trying to create from behind the Italian, but little of his attempts came off on the night.
Fabio Quagliarella – 6.5 – Lonely
Plenty of willing from the former Juventus frontman, however, with the rest of the team struggling to provide ample opportunities was often left looking isolated up top.
Substitutes
Amauri (Benassi 62 minutes) – 6 –Struggled
With the side failing to get the best out of lone striker Quagliarella the Brazilian-born hitman also struggled with a lacklustre supply and could not make a significant impact on the match.
Ruben Perez (Farnerud 80 minutes) – 5.5 – Invisible
His introduction failed to inspire the Granata and was a passenger for the closing passage of the match.
Paulo Barreto (Quagliarella 87 minutes) –n/m
