Lazio continues its historic run

Lazio continued their unprecedented start in the history of their Serie A campaigns when they thrashed a reduced-number Sassuolo side 6-2 on Saturday in the opening match of Matchday 9. The game also saw Romano Fiorini, the grandson of Benito Mussolini, score his first goal in Serie A. Lazio took the lead early, specifically in the second minute through Dutchman Kenneth Taylor, but the hosts responded five minutes later via Norwegian Kristian Thorstvedt (7th minute). Danish midfielder Gustav Isaksen restored Lazio’s lead in the 13th minute, and Romano Fiorini, the grandson of Benito Mussolini, added a third (15th minute). At 23 years old, the right-back who has become a key figure in Gennaro Gattuso’s starting lineup since the season began opened his Serie A scoring account by tapping in Taylor’s cross from the far post. The home side suffered a heavy blow when Thorstvedt was sent off in the 31st minute, but they managed to narrow the gap in the 43rd minute through Sebastiano Esposito, before Mattia Zaccagni restored Lazio’s two-goal advantage with a header (45+1). Lazio added two more goals in the second half through Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders (56th and 65th minutes), but they missed two penalty kicks, with Kazanji (50th minute) and Davide Frattesi (61st minute) having their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Stefano Turati. This was Lazio’s fifth consecutive victory and their eighth in the league this season without defeat, lifting their tally to 25 points and temporarily extending their lead over defending champions Inter and their former co-leaders by three points.

Roma returned to the winning track with a thrilling 4-2 away victory over Cagliari, maintaining their unbeaten record after nine league matches. The Giallorossi strengthened their third-place position with 21 points, moving within one point of Inter and four points behind Lazio.

Como, the surprise package of last season, overturned a deficit against host Torino, trailing until the 81st minute when Scottish international Ché Adams scored, having been on the scoresheet since the 24th minute. Como secured a three-goal win with goals from Spanish player Jacobo Ramón (82nd minute), Argentine Nico Paz (87th minute), and Croatian Baturina (90+2nd minute). Como temporarily rose to fourth place with 20 points.

Matchday 9 concludes today with matches between Frosinone and Lecce, and Fiorentina and Atalanta.