A fantastic strike from Nico Gonzalez cancelled out the debut Nicolò Casale effort, but Fiorentina could’ve beaten Lazio at the death when thumping the crossbar.
The Biancocelesti were brimming with confidence after seven points from three rounds, including a 4-0 hammering of Milan, all despite missing hitman Ciro Immobile. The Viola were coming off back-to-back defeats and welcomed Dodo back from suspension, but Gaetano Castrovilli, Riccardo Sottil and Lucas Martinez Quarta were injured.
It didn’t take long to find the back of the net, as Luis Alberto’s corner found Nicolò Casale, whose header into the ground bobbled and the defender reacted quicker than Nikola Milenkovic to prod the ball on the bounce into the far top corner. It was his debut Serie A goal.
Antonin Barak and Nico Gonzalez drilled wide, while Luis Alberto shinned the finish after robbing possession with a high press.
Ivan Provedel flew to palm a Luka Jovic half-volley over the bar after Elseid Hysaj interrupted a ball over the top for Christian Kouame, while Luis Alberto attempted a back-heel flick on the Adam Marusic low cross.
Fiorentina equalised at the dawn of the second half with a stunner from Nico Gonzalez, who hit a powerful dipping strike from the edge of the area into the far top corner with his left boot.
Adam Marusic blasted off target from distance, as did Nico Gonzalez when leaning back, while Felipe Anderson placed the angled drive wide after Mattia Zaccagni battled to win back possession in midfield.
Provedel parried a Jovic header and Riccardo Saponara was perhaps harshly booked for simulation when going down under a slight Elseid Hysaj contact.
Ciro Immobile made his comeback after several weeks out with injury and immediately turned inches wide on Felipe Anderson’s assist, while Rolando Mandragora stung Provedel’s gloves.
It was wide open to the end with both teams going for the victory and Zaccagni getting back for a decisive block on Jonathan Ikone.
In the final minute of stoppages, Saponara stung Provedel’s gloves at the near post and on the resulting corner it was flicked on for Milenkovic to volley onto the crossbar from point-blank range.
Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina
Casale 8 (L), Nico Gonzalez 49 (F)