HT: Perin keeps Lazio at bay

Lazio have dominated the first half against Genoa, but it’s still 0-0 thanks to the heroics of Mattia Perin.

The Biancocelesti have been stuttering of late, though a 1-1 draw at Milan midweek helped take some of the tension off Vladimir Petkovic. He had to do without Lucas Biglia, Senad Lulic, Andre Dias, Giuseppe Biava, Diego Novaretti, Abdoulay Konko and the banned Lorik Cana and Stefano Mauri. Hernanes was surprisingly not even on the bench. Genoa have improved since Gian Piero Gasperini took over, earning seven points in four games. Francesco Lodi, Alessandro Gamberini, Emanuele Calaiò, Mario Alberto Santana and Sime Vrsaljko missed the trip.

Daniele Portanova crucially charged down a Miroslav Klose effort in the opening five minutes. Mattia Perin needed a sensational save to deny Klose’s curling header after great work down the left from Bruno Pereirinha.

Moments later Klose ran on to a Cristian Ledesma chipped pass and his volley skimmed the back post with Perin beaten.

Pereirinha was causing huge problems for Genoa down Lazio’s left, while Antonio Candreva had penalty appeals for a coming together with Davide Biondini.

Perin palmed a powerful Candreva free kick past the far post and Alberto Gilardino’s header was over the bar. In first half stoppages Perin spilled a bouncing Candreva free kick, but had it under control before Klose could pounce.

Lazio 0-0 Genoa (Half-Time)

Lazio: Marchetti; Cavanda, Ciani, Radu, Pereirinha; Onazi, Ledesma, Gonzalez; Candreva, Klose, Felipe Anderson

Genoa: Perin; Antonini, Portanova, Manfredini; Biondini, Kucka, Matuzalem, Cofie, Marchese; Antonelli; Gilardino

Ref: Tommasi

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HT: Perin keeps Lazio at bay