Pedro Rodriguez's Lazio remains strong in Serie A big-guns battle. The Biancocelesti side won again in their visit to Monza (0-1) and joins the one-point gap battle for top spot, with Napoli, Atalanta, Inter, and Fiorentina involved. The win marks a continuation of Lazio’s impressive form both domestically and in European competitions. Pedro was back to the starting eleven after his fabulous display on Thursday, scoring a last-gasp winner to keep Lazio up on Europa League driving seat.
The two sides managed to make the first blood at U Power Stadium, but the Biancocelesti looked more dangerous than the opposition on attacking duty. The first clear chance happened in the 33rd minute when Nuno Tavares fed Zaccagni inside the box. The Lazio captain cut to the right aimed towards the bottom corner, but was denied by the post.
Despite the woodwork setback, Zaccagni avenged himself just a few minutes later. Guendouzi drove the ball forward before passing it to his skipper on the left flank. The winger managed to cut inside and carve himself a shooting angle on the edge of the box and send a fabulous curler that left Stefano Turati with no chance to avoid the opener.
The hosts showed reinforced determination to get an equaliser after the break, but the Laziali side looked closer to score the second. Nevertheless, Turati did well to stop a powerful Nicolo Rovella half-volley and also prevailed against Taty Castellanos in a one-on-one chance. Barely Monza a chance to snatch a point from a close-range freekick against a strong SS Lazio defensive display to keep safe their advantage.
- Match stats:
MONZA (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Pablo Marì, Carboni (55' Pessina); Pedro Pereira (88' Birindelli), Bondo (88' Petagna), Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Maldini (74' Caprari); Djuric.
LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares (75' Pellegrini); Guendouzi (90'+2' Gigot), Rovella, Vecino; Pedro (60' Isaksen), Dia (60' Castellanos), Zaccagni (75' Noslin).
Bookings: Andrea Colombo (sez. Como) booked Carboni (17' ), Pedro Pereira (18'), Maldini (57'), Isaksen (77'), Pessina (84')
Goals: Zaccagni (36')
2 - 1 
