Miroslav Klose nets double as Lazio go third with emphatic win over Fiorentina

Lazio flattened Fiorentina 4-0 for their fourth consecutive victory and caught Napoli in third place, just four points behind Roma.

These were the form teams in Serie A and went head-to-head for a place in Europe. Stefano Mauri started despite a dislocated toe, but Marco Parolo was suspended with Senad Lulic, Abdoulay Konko, Filip Djordjevic, Bruno Pereirinha and Santiago Gentiletti sidelined. The Viola missed Mario Gomez, Khouma Babacar, Federico Bernardeschi, Ciprian Tatarusanu and banned Alberto Aquilani.

Fiorentina had been unbeaten in 13 competitive games, including nine victories.

It took just six minutes for the breakthrough, as Lucas Biglia kept his splendid volley low from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

The match started at a mile a minute, Miroslav Klose nutmegging a defender only for his lob to be flapped away by Norberto Neto. The goalkeeper was also alert with two saves in quick succession on Felipe Anderson, as it could’ve been 4-0 to Lazio by the 13th minute.

Having held out under that initial siege, it became a more even affair and Mati Fernandez’s free kick whistled wide. Felipe Anderson also tried to chip Neto and failed, but Lazio went so close to a second goal on 33 minutes.

A corner came out to Biglia, who tried to replicate the opening goal with another spectacular volley, but this time Neto flew to fingertip it on to the inside of the upright.

The visitors came out the more confident side after the break and took their usual passing game to Lazio. Milan Badelj blasted wide, but despite Viola possession it was the hosts who had the best chances with Diego Novaretti’s volley well held by Neto.

Felipe Anderson turned on the turbo to dribble into the box and was clearly tripped by Nenad Tomovic. Candreva converted the penalty, sending Neto the wrong way, to double Lazio’s lead. He was booked for taking his shirt off and will therefore be suspended against Torino.

Neto rushed off his line to clear from Klose, but the Aquile pounced on an error to make it 3-0. Mati Fernandez took a free kick quickly, but it sparked a counter-attack and Neto got his gloves to Candreva’s strike only for Klose to dive on to the rebound.

Neto did everything possible to deny the fourth, saving from Keita Balde Diao and Klose, but the German fired in at the third time of asking from six yards. It's remarkable to think Lazio won 4-0, yet goalkeeper Neto was Fiorentina's best performer on the night.