Lazio Thrash Sassuolo 6-2 to Go Top of Serie A as Noslin Scores Twice
Lazio moved to the top of the Serie A table on their own with a 6-2 win at Sassuolo on Tuesday night, October 27. It was a midweek Matchday 9 fixture at the Mapei Stadium. Gennaro Gattuso's side now have 25 points. That is three clear of Inter, who are on 22 and have a game in hand against Venezia on Wednesday. It was Lazio's fifth straight win.
The match started at a frantic pace. Taylor gave Lazio the lead in the second minute. Sassuolo levelled in the seventh, when a Thorstvedt shot took a deflection off Lazio defender Sutalo and went in. Isaksen restored the lead in the 13th minute after a Zaccagni pass. Three minutes later, Floriani made it 3-1 from close range. The goal was first ruled out and then given after a VAR check.
Sassuolo's night got worse in the 31st minute. Thorstvedt was sent off for a hard foul on Zaccagni. Even with ten men, the hosts pulled one back through Esposito in the 43rd minute. Lazio had the answer straight away. Mattia Zaccagni headed in the fourth goal in first-half stoppage time. It was 4-2 at the break.
Lazio were awarded a penalty early in the second half. Zaccagni took it, but Sassuolo goalkeeper Turati saved it. It did not matter. Noslin scored the fifth soon after with a fine shot from the edge of the box. Lazio got another penalty around the hour mark. This time Frattesi stepped up, and Turati saved again. Noslin then finished the contest with a long-range strike for 6-2. That gave him two goals on the night.
The result keeps Lazio's season going in the right direction. Gattuso's team have won eight of their nine Serie A games and drawn one. They are still unbeaten. According to Opta, this is only the fifth time in the club's history that Lazio have gone through their first nine league games without losing. The last time was in 1999-2000.
Inter's trip to Venezia on Wednesday will show whether Lazio can hold on to the top spot. Lazio host Cagliari at the Olimpico on Sunday, November 1. Sassuolo, who had Thorstvedt sent off and two penalties saved against them, welcome Fiorentina on Monday, November 2.