Lazio: Champions blow in Empoli. Dia decides after 50 seconds
A goal by Dia after 50 seconds of the game was enough for Lazio to get the better of Empoli in the midday match of the 35th day of Serie A. The Biancocelesti won at Castellani 1-0 and climbed to 63 points, momentarily in fourth place ahead of Juventus and Bologna and +3 on Roma: the Champions League dream is still alive. Empoli penultimate on 25 points.
Baroni’s team took the lead after less than a minute thanks to Boulaye Dia: the Senegalese striker chest-stops Hysaj’s cross from the right and beats Vasquez with his right, finding the cold goal that would later prove decisive. The Capitoline side repeatedly tried to double the lead, and at 39′ they even found themselves ahead by a man thanks to Lorenzo Colombo’s expulsion for double admonition.
The Capitoline side tried to double the lead, and at 39′ they even found themselves ahead by a man thanks to Lorenzo Colombo’s expulsion for double admonition.
In the resumption came the shock from Empoli: the Tuscans saw their equalizing goal canceled by VAR for Viti’s offside. The guests try to close the game with Zaccagni and Pedro, without any luck, and in the final they risk after Hysaj’s expulsion for double yellow in 76′.
The hosts failed to create any noteworthy dangers in the final minutes, and Lazio (who gobbled up 2-0 in the final with Isaksen) brought home three points that sweep away the controversy of the last few days and keep it in the running for the Champions League.
