Lazio 4 : 2 Genoa - Lazio boost European hopes

Posted Saturday, May 14, 2011 by PA

Lazio boosted their chances of Champions League football next season with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Genoa in an entertaining match at the Stadio Olimpico.

Giuseppe Biava put the hosts ahead early on before Rodrigo Palacio equalised in the 12th minute.

Tommaso Rocchi put Lazio back in front seven minutes into the second half and team-mate Hernanes made it 3-1 shortly after. Hernanes wrapped up the points with his second of the evening in the 67th minute. Genoa striker Antonio Floro Flores got a consolation goal one minute from time.

Lazio moved into fourth, one point clear of Udinese who travel to Chievo on Sunday.

The Romans end the campaign at Lecce next weekend.

Edy Reja4s Lazio went into the encounter on the back of three straight defeats and having to do without suspended trio Andrea Dias, Cristian Brocchi and Libor Kozak.

The hosts started brightly and took a seventh minute led when Biava got his head on Cristian Ledesma4s cross and beat Genoa goalkeeper Eduardo.

Lazio4s joy was shortlived as Genoa levelled the score soon after.

Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera kept out Mauro Boselli4s stinging drive but was unable to hold onto the ball and Palacio fired from close range into the back of the net.

The goal hindered Lazio, who struggled to put a good move together before half-time as Genoa looked happy to settle for a point.

The Biancoceleste came to life after the re-start and went back in front shortly after.Ledesma fed Rocchi inside the area and his eight-yard effort towards the bottom right corner beat Eduardo.

Hernanes then handed Lazio a two-goal advantage in the 56th minute with a powerful header from Ledesma4s dangerous cross. Lazio continued to press forward and made it 4-1 with 24 minutes remaining.

Genoa failed to mark Hernanes in the heart of the area and he got hold of Mauro Zarate4s pass before firing a left-footed strike past Eduardo.

With one minute remaining, Floro Flores grabbed a goal back for the Grifoni. He got behind Domenico Criscito4s cross and tapped the ball into the back of the net.