Lazio moved joint-top of Serie A with a 3-1 home win over Inter on Friday, plunging the reigning champions and coach Rafael Benitez into a fresh crisis after the worst of their problems seemed to have passed.
Giuseppe Biava bundled the ball home midway through the first half and Argentine forward Mauro Zarate struck with a lob early in the second period to show that the early season form of last term’s relegation candidates was no false dawn.
The visitors pulled a goal back through ex-Lazio forward Goran Pandev after a couple of rebounds, but in-form Brazilian Hernanes sealed victory in style with a minute remaining.
Photo: AFP
“It was the best Lazio of the season,” said playmaker Hernanes, who joined the club before the start of the campaign from Sao Paolo.
“I’ve been trying for a bit to have a game like this with a goal and an assist. We’re on the right path and won’t give up,” added Hernanes, who played the ball through for Zarate’s goal.
Sixth-placed Inter, whose hopes of a sixth straight Scudetto already look remote, could slip 10 points behind AC Milan after just 15 games if their city rivals won at home to promoted Brescia yesterday to retake top spot outright.
Photo: AFP
A recent wobble by Lazio had pundits suggesting their resurgence was over, but a confident performance against the treble winners will have tongues wagging again about whether Edy Reja’s Rome-based side can last the pace in the title battle.
The match was Inter’s last in Serie A this year ahead of their participation in the Club World Cup and the pressure is back on Benitez after wins against Twente Enschede and Parma had seemed to secure his position after a shaky spell.
Injury-hit Inter, who saw Dejan Stankovic limp off in the first half and were also without suspended top scorer Samuel Eto’o, played youth team defender Felice Natalino at right back while midfielder Sulley Muntari returned from a layoff.
They again lacked fluency and the only bright spot was the previously struggling Pandev breaking his season’s duck as the boos rang out around the half-full Stadio Olimpico.
Inter’s dearth of attacking options without Eto’o and with Diego Milito only just back in training after injury means a move in the January transfer market for a striker is paramount.
“We knew it would be a tough game before the World Club Cup and without our two best forwards, but the team battled until the end,” Benitez said.
Inter owner Massimo Moratti has said he is willing to delve into his pockets to avoid the European champions from sinking even further, but has described reports of a bid for Sampdoria’s banished striker Antonio Cassano as -“fantasy football.”
Italy forward Cassano could become a free agent if an arbitration panel, which was to meet on Friday but will now convene next week, rules he breached his contract by verbally abusing the Samp president.
All eyes were to be on Milan’s Ronaldinho yesterday to see if he would be left on the bench for a seventh straight game amid speculation the Brazilian could be sold in January after failing to impress new coach Massimiliano Allegri.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely