Udinese rattled the crossbar twice at the Stadio Olimpico and Lazio badly missed Ciro Immobile when he went off injured, as this showdown for third ends in a stalemate.
This was a head-to-head for third place with both teams – and Milan – going in level on 20 points. The Biancocelesti had won four Serie A games in a row, scoring 14 goals and conceding zero, but were also held 2-2 by Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday night. The Friulani saw their run of six consecutive victories stalled by a 2-2 with Atalanta.
Lazar Samardzic thumped the crossbar after 13 minutes with a ferocious strike, then another of his shots was charged down on the counter by Nicolò Casale.
Manuel Lazzari turned Roberto Pereyra brilliantly to set up Felipe Anderson, anticipated by Nehuen Perez at the near post, then Marco Silvestri used his legs to deny Felipe Anderson’s angled drive and flew for a great save on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header.
However, there was a serious blow for Lazio when Ciro Immobile suddenly pulled up with a muscular strain and limped off looking distraught.
Destiny Udogie really should’ve done better when his header wide at the far post from Samardzic’s cross, then Gerard Deulofeu’s cheeky curler whistled past the top corner.
Luis Alberto came off the bench and his corner immediately found the head of Casale, but it went wide, while Ivan Provedel got down quickly to beat away the Pereyra daisy-cutter.
Tolgay Arslan was denied by a desperate Casale block and Defuloeu’s shot on the half-volley from a tricky angle clipped the crossbar at the 85th minute.
Lazio 0-0 Udinese