MILAN (AFP) – Ciro Immobile scored his first Lazio goal in nearly two months when he netted the opening penalty in his team’s 3-0 win at Serie A strugglers Spezia on Friday.
Italy striker Immobile helped Lazio strengthen their hold on second spot with a fourth straight win by scoring from the spot in the 36th minute at the Stadio Picco to take his league tally in an injury-hit season to 10.
Felipe Anderson won the spot-kick when he went down under Ethan Ampadu’s challenge which was harshly judged to be both a foul and a bookable offence, and the Welshman was sent off late on following his second yellow card.
Anderson doubled the away side’s lead six minutes after the break when he finished off a swift-passing move also involving Luis Alberto and Immobile.
Anderson’s Brazilian compatriot Marcos Antonio ensured Lazio would move 13 points behind runaway league leaders Napoli when he skipped around Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski and rolled in the third.
“The goal was important for me because this season hasn’t been all that good,” Immobile told Sky Sport.
“The team did really well in my absence so I promised them that I would give everything to reach our goals with them.
“It’s been an unlucky season for me, once you start getting injured it can go on for what seems like forever, but I’m not giving up.”
The win boosts Lazio’s bid for next season’s Champions League. They are eight points in front of third-placed local rivals Roma.
AC Milan are a further point back in fourth and a point behind them, and just outside the top four, are Inter Milan ahead of their Lombardy derby with Monza.
Spezia sit one place and four points above the relegation zone and will be hoping Napoli continue their march towards a first league title since 1990.
Champions-elect Napoli host Verona, who are just inside the drop zone.
Nigerian Napoli forward Osimhen has been out injured since the international break but should play a part in Naples in the hope he will be able to start Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final showdown with AC Milan.
Defeat for Spezia also allowed Cremonese to keep dreaming of a great escape after Cyriel Dessers gave the promoted outfit just their third win of the season, 1-0 over Empoli.
