Catania secured a shock 3-1 win over Lazio at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in the early Serie A kick off on Sunday afternoon.
Mariano Izco took the lead with less than a minute played, before Lazio captain Stefano Mauri levelled on the stroke of half time. Goals from Nicolas Spolli and Gino Peruzzi in the second half were enough to give the Sicilians a deserved victory that marks a landmark moment in their bid to avoid relegation.
The hosts got off to a dream start, taking a shock lead with only fifty seconds on the clock. Lucas Castro found some space on the left hand side and curled in a cross that was met first time on the half volley by Mariano Izco, who smashed his strike past the sprawling Etrit Berisha to hand Catania an early advantage.
The Sicilians then came close to doubling their lead after seven minutes as they broke clear on the counter attack into a two on one situation. Pablo Barrientos elected to shoot rather than pass, and his curling effort was very well parried by Berisha.
Lazio were struggling to threaten Mariano Andujar’s goal and penetrate a well-organised Catania backline. A left-footed drive from Lucas Biglia flashed narrowly wide ten minutes in, marking the Biancoceleste’s best chance of the match so far.
Midway through the first half Catania thought they had stretched their lead, as substitute Koke wheeled away in celebration after poking in Berisha’s parry from a Rinaudo effort, before realising the flag had been raised for offside.
The Elefanti threatened again two minutes later, with a trademark freekick missile from Francesco Lodi requiring a brilliant save from Berisha to keep the margin at one goal.
Right on the stroke of half time, the visitors pulled one back with their first shot on target of the game. Abdoulay Konko found some space on the right flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross that was powered past Andujar by the head of returning Lazio captain Stefano Mauri.
However, Catania once again found themselves in front only moments after the whistle had gone to begin the half. Nicolas Spolli beat his marker to power in Francesco Lodi’s delivery from the free kick and grab himself a rare goal.
Just before the hour mark, Catania brilliantly got their third of the afternoon. The impressive Gino Peruzzi stormed forward from full-back, driving straight at the Lazio defence , playing a one-two with Keko inside the area and prodding home from close range to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
Lazio looked poor throughout and never seriously threatened to get themselves back into the game. A cross from Cristian Ledesma with fifteen minutes remaining was met by the head of Miroslav Klose, but the German could only direct the ball harmlessly wide.
