Marco Parolo struck a late equaliser as Lazio came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw in their Serie A match with Atalanta BC this afternoon.
Keita Balde Diao threated in the opening moments with a low strike from range that forced Marco Sportiello into a save.
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The Lazio striker came close again minutes later with a curling strike from the edge of the box that crashed against the post.
It was the visitors who were next to come close as Giulio Migliaccio saw his header from Marco D'Alessandro's corner saved by Federico Marchetti.
Marchetti was soon called into action again when he was forced to tip Mauricio Pinilla's near-post flick over the bar.
At the other end of the pitch, Keita was causing the Atalanta defence a number of problems and, after latching onto a low cross from Felipe Anderson, he saw his close-range strike palmed away by the keeper.
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With two minutes of the first half remaining, the hosts almost broke the deadlock when Alejandro Gomez fired in a powerful effort that was beaten away by Marchetti.
After the break, Gomez came within inches of finding the net when his long-range effort struck the post.
However, the hosts took the lead from the resulting corner as former Lazio defender Giuseppe Biava rose highest to thump in a header from Gomez's delivery.
Lazio piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and they found themselves back on level terms when Parolo broke free from his marker to volley the ball in from a corner.
The Biancocelesti pushed for a late winner, but they were unable to find the net for a second time and had to settle for a draw that leaves them in third place and behind Roma in the league table.
Alex Meyers
