Lazio beat Sassuolo 6-2 to move back into Serie A’s sole lead

Lazio Rome moved back into sole possession of the Serie A lead with a 6-2 win away to Sassuolo on Tuesday. Sassuolo were reduced to ten men early on, but still scored twice. The match also brought Romano Floriani Mussolini his first goal in the top flight; he has become a starter for Lazio this season.

Kenneth Taylor opened the scoring after two minutes. Kristian Thorstvedt levelled for Sassuolo in the seventh minute, but Gustav Isaksen restored Lazio’s lead six minutes later. Four minutes after that, Floriani Mussolini extended the advantage, meeting Taylor’s cross at the far post. It was the defender’s first Serie A goal.

Thorstvedt was sent off in the 31st minute for a dangerous tackle. Sassuolo still pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute through Sebastiano Esposito. Just before half-time, Mattia Zaccagni scored with a header to give Lazio a two-goal cushion. The visitors went on to complete the 6-2 win.

Lazio have 25 points from nine matches and remain unbeaten in the league, with eight wins and one draw. They have scored 22 goals and conceded seven, and have won their last five Serie A matches. They are three points clear of their nearest challengers ahead of Inter Milan’s match against bottom-placed Venice in the ninth round on Wednesday.

“I’m really happy to have scored this first goal, but even more so about this victory, which is crucial for us,” Floriani said on DAZN. He also described the coach’s message: “The Mister always tells us that we have to give everything; we must never play at 80%, but at 110%.” RMC Sport also reports that Gattuso urged his players to keep their feet on the ground, focus on their work and take things one match at a time rather than be distracted by the table.