Lazio vs. Cagliari

The two sides were level on points going into the midweek round as Ousmane Dabo was suspended, while Simone Del Nero, Lionel Scaloni, Mourad Meghni and visiting Francesco Pisano missed out. Youth team midfielder Perpetuini made his full Serie A debut.

After three minutes Nando Muslera grabbed Alessandro Matri's sharp volley, then Aleksandr Kolarov sprinted to the byline and forced a very difficult save out of Federico Marchetti at the base of the near post.

Mauro Zarate went on one of his trademark slaloms through four defenders only for his shot to be deflected just over the bar.

Stefano Mauri replaced Perpetuini at the break to bring some much-needed experience and settled down on the left flank.

However, it was goalkeeper Muslera who gifted Cagliari the opener with a massive howler! Daniele Conti's free kick seemed weak and central, but the Uruguayan let it slip through his hands and legs, so Matri was there to tap in from a yard.

Muslera tried to make up for his error with two great flying saves on Davide Biondini's strike and a deflected Conti effort.

In the final minute Cagliari proved they deserved this victory, as Andrea Lazzari's left-foot effort thumped the upright.