Lazio leap to summit with win against Maribor

S.S. Lazio extended their perfect record against Slovenian opposition with a 1-0 win against NK Maribor at the Stadio Olimpico.

After a first half in which the woodwork was the main protagonist, the home side finally managed to find a way through on 62 minutes thanks to Ederson's maiden UEFA Europa League goal. Hernanes later missed a penalty after Jovan Vidovič was sent off for the visitors, but the Biancocelesti had done enough to go a point clear of Maribor at the Group J summit.

Only ten seconds in, Hernanes tested the alertness of Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovič, who responded affirmatively. It was an early sighter which set the tone for an open game with plenty of chances at both ends, Maribor's first arriving in the 14th minute when Željko Filipovič's near-post header was tipped onto the crossbar by Albano Bizzarri. Lazio then took their turn to threaten, André Dias testing Handanovič with a header, before Goran Cvijanovič shot straight at Bizzarri for Maribor a minute later.

The action continued as Antonio Candreva hit the right-hand post with a cross from near the goal line, and the same player struck the woodwork once more with a wicked delivery from the right. A goal was all that was lacking, although that finally changed just after the hour when Ederson put Lazio in front, rippling the roof of the net with a shot from close range after Sergio Floccari's effort had been parried by Handanovič.

Lazio had the chance to make it two in the 77th minute when Vidovič conceded a spot kick for handball and was duly dismissed. Hernanes' effort was touched onto the post by Handanovič, but the miss proved inconsequential as Lazio held on.