Ciro Immobile scored against Fiorentina for the first time in his career as Lazio returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Italy international struck in an ill-tempered first half that saw four players go into the book and Simone Inzaghi’s side managed to repel second-half pressure from the visitors to secure their seventh win in their last 10 meetings with La Viola.
The home side dominated the early stages as Marco Parolo and Felipe Caicedo both saw chances go narrowly wide, before Wallace almost handed a gift to La Viola. The Brazilian’s attempt to return a pass to goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha landed at the feet of Marco Benassi instead, but the Aquile stopper was quickly out to stifle the danger with a good stop.
Lazio eventually took a deserved lead after 37 minutes when Immobile latched onto Stefan Radu’s nod-on from a corner to finish from close range, his first ever goal against the team from Florence.
Fiorentina improved in the second half and put the Biancocelesti defence under pressure, with Cristiano Biraghi and Federico Chiesa both having efforts saved by Strakosha.
Stefano Pioli’s side dominated possession for large spells but struggled to break through the Lazio defence and almost conceded a second with two minutes of regulation time remaining when substitute Joaquin Correa forced an acrobatic save from Alban Lafont.
Lazio were camped in their own half throughout the closing stages, but held on to collect a hard-earned three points.
Time up for Wallace?
You never know what you’re going to get from Wallace. This season, the Brazilian has gone from marking Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game against Juventus in Turin to almost costing his side three points against Fiorentina. His rollercoaster ride of form has fans tearing chunks of hair from their scalps, but the performance against La Viola could finally cost him his place.
Simone Inzaghi has shown faith in the 23-year-old this season and was rewarded with that fine display in Turin. But his error today, when he played a pass under no pressure directly to a Fiorentina player inside the Lazio box, is the kind of mistake that plagues his game and shows no sign of disappearing.
The error rattled his confidence and he was eventually replaced before the hour-mark as he struggled to contain Federico Chiesa. Lazio have been patient with Wallace but now, with the likes of Luiz Felipe and Martin Caceres waiting in the wings, could be the time to drop him before his blackout moments cost his team points.
Viola’s away-day blues
Fiorentina fans have had much to get excited about so far this season as their youthful team have been rewarded for their brave, attack-minded style with a string of positive results. However, struggles away from the Artemio Franchi continue to haunt this side.
Admittedly, La Viola have been dealt a tough hand with the fixture schedule, facing Napoli, Sampdoria, Inter and now Lazio on the road this season so far. But Stefano Pioli’s side have now picked up just one point from their last five away games, including a defeat to Milan at the end of the previous campaign. If Fiorentina are to challenge for the European spots this season, they will need to start getting some wins from these tough trips.
