Two goals from skipper Stefano Mauri helped SS Lazio to a 3-0 win over Atalanta BC on Saturday that moved the Rome outfit into third place in Serie A.
With Miroslav Klose left on the bench in favor of Filip Djordjevic, it was captain Mauri who stepped up to the mark after a lackluster first half for both sides.
Mauri opened the scoring after 51 minutes from a cross by Felipe Anderson and added his second 20 minutes later after smart work down the left.
Senad Lulic headed home Lazio’s third goal after 81 minutes following a cross from Dusan Basta.
Mauri could have had a hat-trick if Stefan de Vrij had not gotten in front of him to miss the target from a 38th-minute center by Stefan Radu, or if a smart left-footed volley had not just missed the target in the 54th minute.
“I felt fine physically and playing in the kind of role that suits me,” said Mauri, whose team are scheduled to face Inter next where they will be looking for a third successive victory.
In Saturday’s other Serie A game, US Citta di Palermo climbed to ninth place after a 2-1 win over US Sassuolo secured by a last-minute goal from Andrea Belotti.
Yesterday’s fixtures saw Juventus, Genoa, Parma and Udinese with home ties against Sampdoria, Roma, Cagliari and Verona respectively, while Cesena hosted Fiorentina and Napoli traveled to AC Milan. Today’s games involve Torino who visit Empoli, and Chievo at home to Inter.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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