Ciro Immobile scored an early double and was denied his hat-trick by the crossbar, while Manuel Lazzari completed Lazio’s 3-0 rout of Salernitana.
This was the first game Salernitana played under new owner Danilo Iervolino and it was against their previous patron, Lazio President Claudio Lotito, who only sold the club hours before the December 31 deadline to avoid them being thrown out of Serie A.
The hosts were missing six players through COVID-19, including three who only tested positive this morning, plus suspended Norbert Gyomber. Lazio had to do without Francesco Acerbi, Stefan Radu, Toma Basic and Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro.
It took just seven minutes to break the deadlock with a delightful move, as Luis Alberto took a free kick quickly over the top, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic knocked it back with a cheeky heel flick and Ciro Immobile struck first-time from 12 yards.
Luca Ranieri failed to cut out a pass down the right, Pedro burst forward and rolled across the six-yard box for Immobile’s tap-in and 2-0.
Immobile thought he’d completed a hat-trick on 37 minutes when his header from a Luis Alberto free kick bounced off the underside of the bar, hit the line and went back out.
Pedro went off with a calf injury and Federico Bonazzoli saw a shot charged down for Salernitana, while Cedric Gondo prevented Luis Alberto scoring directly from a corner.
Lazio got their third when substitute Manuel Lazzari turned on the turbo and completed a counter-attack, created by the Immobile cross-field pass and perfectly-weighted Felipe Anderson assist. Very much a forgotten man under Sarri this season, Lazzari celebrated by venting frustration and taking off his shirt.
Immobile was again denied a hat-trick in the final minutes, this time by a Vid Belec save on his powerful header from Lazzari’s cross.
Salernitana 0-3 Lazio
Immobile 7, 10 (L), Lazzari 66 (L)