Lazio 2 Fiorentina 0: Kozak brace sinks Fiorentina

Posted Saturday, January 29, 2011 by PA

Libor Kozak inspired Lazio to a 2-0 victory over Fiorentina to move the Biancoceleste up to second in the Serie A table.

The Czech striker scored two goals in four second-half minutes to earn Eduardo Reja's side only their second win of 2011 and lift them above Napoli into second place, setting up a mouth-watering clash with leaders AC Milan on Tuesday.

Without the suspended Mauro Zarate, it was up to Kozak to lead Lazio's assault on three points and he rose to the occasion.

In the fifth minute, he set up Sergio Floccari for the first chance of the game, but Artur Boruc pushed the Lazio striker's shot wide of the post.

Kozak was lurking at the far post in the 25th minute and he was preparing to nod the ball in before Nikola Gulan leaned back and managed to head the ball behind to keep Fiorentina on terms.

The visitors' one and only chance of the first half came from Alessio Cerci in the 28th minute, but his shot was pushed wide by Nelson Muslera.

A slight deflection off the toe of Alessandro Gamberini made Boruc's save from Alvaro Gonzalez's shot a bit tricky as Lazio created the last chance of the first half in the 41st minute.

Lazio went ahead in the 69th minute after Per Kroldrup fouled Kozak inside the penalty area, earning a yellow card for the clear foul.

The tall Lazio striker picked himself up to convert the spot-kick.

Four minutes later, the imperious Kozak was on target again, stooping to head in from two yards out after ghosting in unmarked at the far post to meet Giuseppe Sculli's cross.

Lazio defended their lead without any problems and will now look forward to Tuesday's trip to the San Siro.