Sharjah 24: Lazio secured three crucial points with a 2-0 victory over defending champions Napoli in the 33rd round of the Italian Serie A.
Lazio handed a valuable gift to league leaders Inter Milan by defeating their closest rivals and reigning champions Napoli 2-0 in the 33rd round of the Italian Serie A.
Lazio opened the scoring early, just six minutes after kickoff, when Kenneth Taylor's low cross into the penalty area found Matteo Cancellieri unmarked, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.
The visitors doubled their lead early in the second half thanks to Croatian striker Toma Basic (57).
Lazio missed a penalty after capitalizing on a defensive error. Dutchman Tijani Nouslin found himself one-on-one with Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, before being brought down from behind by Slovakian Stanislav Lobotka. Captain Zaccagni Mattia took the penalty, but Napoli's goalkeeper made a brilliant save (31').
Twelve-point lead at the top of the table
Napoli now trails Inter by 12 points after Inter's 3-0 victory over Cagliari on Friday, the opening match of the round, which could see them clinch the title in the next round. Napoli's hopes of retaining the title are slim, while the race for second place is heating up, with only three points separating them from AC Milan, who visit Verona on Sunday (66 points to 63).
Juventus, in third place, trails Napoli by six points before their match against Bologna, also on Sunday.
Coach Antonio Conte's men suffered their first defeat after a run of 6 games in all competitions during which they did not taste defeat (5 wins).
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