Udinese pipped Lazio 1-0 in a hard-fought encounter at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
A first-half strike from Cyril Théréau was enough for the Zebrette, as Andrea Stramaccioni’s men moved up to third in the table.
The visitors started with intent, as Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti had to be sharp to save a cheeky free-kick from Luis Muriel with only three minutes elapsed, the Colombian shooting from wide on the left when the entire Lazio defence was anticipating a cross.
The pattern of the game was then established by Lazio dominating possession, with Udinese creating the better chances. Diego Novaretti had to look sharp to clear an effort from Luis Muriel off the line on 22 minutes.
Marchetti looked to have been fouled in the build-up, but the ball fell to Muriel and only Novaretti’s headed intervention prevented the Colombian from opening the scoring.
Muriel didn’t score the goal, but the 23-year old was instrumental in the 26th minute opener nonetheless. Executing some fantastic skill in central midfield, the Udinese striker spun away from Onazi before releasing the ball to Widmer on the right flank.
The Swiss wasted no time in delivering an exquisite low cross which found Théréau six yards out and the former Chievo man dispatched the ball into the roof of the net.
The joy of the opening goal was somewhat soured for Udinese, as Luis Muriel departed the field with an injury immediately after.
As the teams entered the dressing room for half time, Lazio had enjoyed 62 percent of possession but were yet to create a meaningful chance.
The first half pattern was largely repeated in the opening exchanges of the second half as the Biancocelesti continued to dominate possession, but failing to seriously trouble Orestis Karnezis in the Udinese goal.
A Parolo snapshot on 51 minutes the only real danger Lazio posed, and the weak attempt was easily gathered by the Greek goalkeeper.
Antonio Candreva was the man most likely to make things happen for Lazio, and his dinked through-ball almost found Klose, but the German was unable to make any contact. Candreva continued to pose a threat, dragging a free-kick wide, though in truth Karnezis never looked worried.
Keita Balde’s low cross failed to make contact with Klose late on, and judging by the audible groans the Olimpico crowd began to feel that it wasn’t going to be Lazio’s night, and so it proved. The Aquile descended into niggling fouls and petulance, with Lulic picking up a needless booking for throwing the ball at Badu.
Stefano Pioli may well be beginning to feel the pressure at the Olimpico after only one win in four games, and the fact that his side’s 23 crosses failed to result in a goal or even a clear-cut chance will do little to convince the Lazio hierarchy that the former Bologna coach is in possession of a coherent plan to plan to pull the capital club from their current slump.
