Lazio vs. Palermo

Davide Ballardini came face to face with his former club in a game where everyone had a point to prove. The Biancocelesti's splendid start ground to a halt with one draw from three games, while Walter Zenga was struggling after just two points in four rounds.

Pasquale Foggia and Mark Bresciano drilled just over the bar from distance, while Simon Kjaer charged down a Mauro Zarate solo run.

Zarate skipped between defenders to curl a wonderful right-foot finish that Sirigu palmed off the line.

There were timid Biancocelesti penalty appeals for a Federico Balzaretti handling offence, but it seemed to be a ricochet.

Kjaer needed a goalline clearance to deny Lazio after Foggia got to the byline and beat the 'keeper with a cross-shot towards Julio Cruz at the back post.

The home side again complained for Cassani's nudge from behind on Cruz.

Zarate went very close on 57 minutes, springing the offside trap to test Sirigu with a daisy-cutter. Foggia wanted a penalty, but replays show Mark Bresciano got the ball.

Foggia was Lazio's liveliest player and a left-foot thunderbolt was fingertipped out of the near top corner from 20 metres.

However, Palermo also wasted a golden opportunity moments later. Substitute Edison Cavani sprung the offside trap and should've passed it across to an unmarked Fabio Simplicio, but instead went for goal himself with a weak effort straight at Muslera.

It was a blip, as Lazio were dominating and a long Ousmane Dabo pass was volleyed on to the top of the upright by substitute Tommaso Rocchi from the byline. Zarate also threatened by firing just over.

However, a disastrous goalkeeping howler gifted Palermo the undeserved opener. Muslera allowed a seemingly harmless Cavani snapshot to squirm between his hands and in at the base of the near post.

Moments later Giulio Migliaccio risked scoring an own goal with his wayward clearance on Radu's cross.

Lazio finally drew level after a chaotic free kick. The set play ricocheted around the box until Zarate got the final half-volley from six yards to make it a fiery finale.

It was so nearly 2-1 to the Biancocelesti moments later, Zarate again going for goal with another great save from Sirigu. The substitute goalkeeper performed absolute heroics with an incredible double save on Rocchi from point-blank range!