Lazio have maintained their chances of a top-three finish in Serie A this season with a 2-1 victory over Parma in Rome.
© PA Photos
The hosts created precious little in the opening minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, but scored from their first real opportunity of the match.
Parma failed to clear a corner properly and the ball fell to Giuseppe Biava, who got the final touch to put Lazio 1-0 ahead in the 25th minute.
Miroslav Klose doubled the Roman club's advantage in the 34th minute when he latched on to Alvaro Gonzalez's through-ball to slot home with a cool finish.
Antonio Candreva came close to scoring the third goal for Lazio in the opening minutes of the second half when he shot at the Parma goal, but Antonio Mirante made a good save.
© PA Photos
The visitors tried to launch a comeback, as Marco Marchionni took an attempt on the Lazio goal but failed to keep it on target.
Then on the hour mark Jonathan Biabiany forced out a good save from Lazio goalkeeper Albano Bizarri with a shot taken from outside the Aquila penalty box.
Parma pulled one back in the 66th minute when Ishak Belfodil found the target after watching his initial penalty saved by Bizarri.
However, that proved to be mere consolation, as Lazio held on for the rest of the match for a 2-1 win.
Subhankar Mondal
