Torino took three valuable away points at Lazio with a 1-0 win in Serie A yesterday thanks to a first half strike from Ivan Ilic. The result leaves the door open for Juventus to climb above Lazio into second place should they beat runaway leaders Napoli in today’s big match.
Napoli lead Serie A on 75 points with Lazio still on 61, Juventus have 59 after overturning a 15 point penalty for illicit transfer activity and Roma are on 56 to complete the top four. Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio had won their previous four Serie A games, and were unbeaten in eight.
They started brightly enough at their Stadio Olimpico where midfielder Luis Alberto and striker Felipe Anderson both made their 200th appearances for the Romans. Just before half-time Ilic sneaked into the area and fired a shot past Lazio ‘keeper Ivan Provedel, who should have done better.
Sarri made the bold move of bringing on Italy striker Ciro Immobile shortly after the break despite the player being hospitalised earlier in the week after a tram hit his car. But despite a late flurry Lazio now head to Inter Milan next week looking over their shoulders with seven games left to play.
Lukaku suspension overturned after racism row furore
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku yesterday had his one-match suspension, imposed for reacting to racist abuse, revoked by Italian football chiefs after an angry backlash. Belgian star Lukaku received the ban after picking up two yellow cards, the second for his goal celebration in front of Juventus fans after a stoppage-time penalty which secured Inter a 1-1 Italian Cup draw in Turin two weeks ago.
The Belgium striker held his finger to his mouth and told Juve supporters to “shut up”. “The principle of the fight against all forms of racism constitutes one of the founding principles of the sporting order,” said Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after overturning the ban. He said that the player “has been the target, on several occasions, of serious, repeated and despicable racial hatred and discrimination, at a level capable of justifying formally unlawful conduct.”
The decision means that Lukaku can now play in the second leg of the semi-final in Milan on Wednesday.
“I am really happy about this decision from the president of the FIGC, who has shown great sensitivity to the situation,” said the 29-year-old Lukaku in a statement.
Torino’s Ivan Ilic (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Lazio. (AFP)
