Juventus edge past 10-man Lazio to move level with leaders Napoli

Mario Gila's own goal with five minutes remaining gave Juve the win in Turin, a crushing blow for Lazio who acquitted themselves well after Alessio Romagnoli was sent off in the 24th minute. Thiago Motta's Juve looked set to dominate when Romganoli was shown a straight red card for taking out Pierre Kalulu as he raced towards goal.

The referee needed intervention from VAR before handing the red card to the Lazio defender. But, Lazio had little trouble holding off Juve's uninspired attacking and had to rely on Gila poking Juan Cabal's low cross into his own goal in order to take the three points. The match looked to be destined for a draw until GIla's unfortunate touch fooled goalkeeper Provedel and condemned Lazio to defeat at the 85th minute.

Besides the own goal, the game was rather unimpressive from an attacking perspective.  Serbian striker Vlahovic had the clearest chance as hit the crossbar on a loose ball in the box, while soon afterwards Douglas Luiz squandered a goal from close range.

With the narrow win, Juventus register their seventh clean sheet in the league, which gives them a better goal difference than Napoli - with whom they are joint-top - but stay behind their rivals, coached by Antonio Conte, as they have played a game more. Napoli can ensure they maintain their lead with a win at Empoli in Sunday's lunctime match, while champions Inter Milan, who sit two points off the pace alongside their local rivals Milan, are at Roma.

 

October 19, 2024