Lazio strike back to beat Cagliari

S.S. Lazio are within five points of Serie A leaders Juventus – who host UC Sampdoria on Sunday – after coming from behind to beat nine-man Cagliari Calcio 2-1, while Calcio Catania wasted the opportunity to leapfrog AC Milan into seventh place as their home game against Torino FC ended goalless.

Hernanes hit the bar with a free-kick for Lazio in a busy first half at the Stadio Olimpico, and Radja Nainggolan was denied by goalkeeper Federico Marchetti after a brisk counterattack at the other end. Miroslav Klose then passed up a great chance after dribbling past Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi.

Lazio's Stefan Radu hit the post with a header early in the second half, and their luck looked to have deserted them when a right-footed shot from the edge of the box gave Marco Sau his sixth goal of the season for Cagliari.

However, Abdoulay Konko picked a great time to score his first Lazio goal 11 minutes from the end, with Antonio Candreva completing the turnaround four minutes from time, converting from the spot after Agazzi had fouled Klose in the box. The Cagliari goalkeeper was sent off for that foul, along with team-mate Andrea Cossu.

In the early kick-off, Catania played with ten men for over 75 minutes after midfielder Francesco Lodi was sent off early on but still had the better chances, Pablo Barrientos notably hitting the bar with a first-half penalty, with a point leaving the Etnei ninth, and Torino 13th.