Lazio defeated Atalanta 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Saturday night.
Stefano Mauri opened the scoring early in the second half, before doubling the lead 20 minutes later. Then with just nine minutes left to play Senad Lulic wrapped up all three points with an excellent header.
The match started slowly and with the exception of a foolish handball from Atalanta’s German Denis in the first minute, the opening 15 were extremely uneventful
Midway through the half, Atalanta’s Rolando Bianchi struck from 35 ywards but very narrowly missed Lazio’s goal, though the shot was never going to trouble Federico Marchetti in goal.
Just before the break, Felipe Anderson very nearly put the Biancocelesti ahead, after he received an extremely well-placed cross from Dusan Basta immediately in front of Atalanta’s goal but was not able to get a shot off.
The second half started off with plenty of action, with Atalanta’s Giulio Migliaccio earning the second booking of the match at for making malicious contact on the head of Lazio’s Stefan Radu, and the opening goal soon followed.
Lazio’s Stefano Mauri popped up on the 51st minute to give the home side the lead.
The Aquile captain received a very impressive low cross from Anderson, which was received perfectly by Mauri who needed only tap the ball into an empty net.
Lazio went close again just minutes later as Anderson and Alvaro Gonzalez combined in Atalanta’s penalty area but the Brazilian was denied by the excellent Sportiello, who made a brilliant diving save to touch the ball away from the net and out of play.
Mauri then got his double in the 71st minute as Anderson placed a perfect pass on Mauri’s left foot in the center of the penalty area, for the midfielder to eloquently curl into the far post.
Gonzalez also went close for Lazio, but it wasn’t long before they got their third and effectively ended the match.
Dusan Basta whipped a ball into Lulic on the 81st minute for the Bosnian to powerfully head past the goalkeeper.
Atalanta rallied in the final moments of the game as they looked for a consolation, but nothing was forthcoming and Lazio took home the three points.
