Gutsy performance and top spot alone 5,836 days later
Updated: 40 minutes ago
Game 10, Serie A
Sunday, November 1, 2026
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Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Cagliari 2-1
Lazio fall behind, struggle to break down a stubborn Cagliari defence, but eventually turn the game around. For the first time since 7 November 2010, the Biancocelesti are alone at the top of Serie A.
The team
Rino Gattuso decided to bring Oliver Provstgaard back into the starting eleven in place of Diogo Leite. Otherwise, he confirmed the same team that had won in Reggio Emilia.
With Inter having lost the derby, Lazio had a fantastic opportunity to move to the top of the table on their own. Cagliari, however, were unlikely to make things easy.
First half
It was a very difficult start. Cagliari set up a defensive wall, particularly on their right flank, making life hard for Nuno Tavares, Mattia Zaccagni and Kenneth Taylor. Reda Belahyane tried his best, but playmaking is not his strongest quality, and Lazio struggled to find a way through.
The Biancocelesti had to wait until the 18th minute for their first real opportunity. Davide Frattesi found space and got a shot away, but Elia Caprile saved. A minute later, Taylor provided an intelligent pass for Zaccagni, but the captain slipped just before shooting, allowing the Cagliari goalkeeper to intervene again.
Then, in the 20th minute, the visitors struck. Alieu Fadera broke down the right, entered the penalty area and, from close to the byline, attempted to deliver a cross. Belahyane intercepted, but the ball was about to go out when Fadera managed to recover it and send it back towards the centre. M'Bala Nzola got a foot to it and beat Christos Mandas, putting Cagliari ahead.
Lazio now faced an uphill battle. Zaccagni realised that something extra was needed and began roaming across the pitch in search of a way to create danger. The Biancocelesti were also helped by Cagliari losing Fadera to injury. Raphael Kofler came on in his place.
The equaliser arrived in the 36th minute. A neat one-two between Tijjani Noslin and Taylor on the right ended with the ball reaching nearby Gustav Isaksen. The Dane attempted a beautiful curling shot over the goalkeeper and towards the left-hand post. It was perfectly executed, and Caprile could do nothing. A wonderful goal, and 1-1.
As has happened on other occasions, Lazio took a little time to adjust after scoring. Cagliari almost regained the lead in the 38th minute when Jacopo Fazzini went close, his effort finishing just wide.
Second half
At half-time, M'Bala Nzola was replaced by Mendy.
Lazio continued to struggle against Cagliari's defensive organisation. After ten minutes, Gattuso decided to make a triple substitution, introducing Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alfonso Pedraza and Andrea Pinamonti for Frattesi, Nuno Tavares and an injured Zaccagni.
In the 60th minute, Taylor tested Caprile with a free kick, but the goalkeeper produced a good save. Another Taylor free kick soon found Provstgaard inside the box, but the defender's header went over the crossbar.
Cagliari also made changes, with Daniel Maldini and Fazzini making way for Yael Trepy and Joseph Liteta. Gattuso subsequently replaced Provstgaard with Diogo Leite.
Lazio produced a wonderful attacking move in the 71st minute. Belahyane to Taylor, who passed to Pinamonti. The striker laid the ball off for Pedraza, who found Dele-Bashiru. The Nigerian returned it to Taylor, but the midfielder's final effort shaved the left post.
Isaksen tried his luck in the 80th minute, narrowly missing the target. Gattuso then made another change, sending Danilo Cataldi on for Belahyane.
The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute. Isaksen, again operating on the right, delivered a cross into the penalty area. Pedraza hesitated for a moment but managed to reach the ball and volley it back towards the centre where Pinamonti smashed a header past Caprile. Lazio had completed the turnaround!
The closing stages were made even more difficult for Cagliari when Obert was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Colombo's refereeing had been far from convincing, with several questionable decisions and a number of bookable fouls going unpunished. It was not the first time this season that his performance had left plenty to be desired.
The final whistle brought enormous relief and celebration. Lazio had not produced their most fluent performance, but they had shown character, persistence and the ability to find a way through when things were going against them.
And the reward was extraordinary. With Inter having lost the previous evening, Lazio were alone at the top of Serie A for the first time since 7 November 2010.
Exactly 5,836 days later, the Biancocelesti were solitary at the summit.
Who played for Lazio
Mandas, Floriani, Provstgaard (75' Diogo Leite), Sutalo, Nuno Tavares (55' Pedraza), Frattesi (55' Dele-Bashiru), Belahyane (81' Cataldi), Taylor, Isaksen, Noslin, Zaccagni (55' Pinamonti),
Substitutes: Motta, Renzetti, Pellegrini, Doekhi, Cancellieri, Przyborek, Lazzari, R.Bordon, Farcomeni, F.Bordon
Manager: Gattuso
Who played for Cagliari
Caprile, Ze' Pedro, Romano, Adopo, Fazzini (64' Liteta), Deiola (88' Carlos), Rodriguez, Nzola (46' Mendy), Obert, Fadera (32' Kofler), Maldini (64' Trepy)
Substitutes: Sherri, Radunovic, Winks, Ciervo, Gagliardini, Aurelio, Mina, Sugawara, Sulev, Massolin
Manager: Pisacane
Referee: Colombo
Goals: 21' Nzola, 36' Isaksen, 83' Pinamonti
Booked: 59' Fazzini (C), 66' Rodriguez (C), 76' Obert (C)
Red card: Obert (C)
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