Lazio knew they needed to start producing more consistency if they are to break into the European places, as they’ve been held scoreless as often as they have kept clean sheets this term.
Although the visitors saw an early goal from Riccardo Sottil ruled out for a foul in the build-up, the hosts were very much in command throughout a dominant first half. Having gone close to taking the lead through Boulaye Dia, who saw his shot from inside the area saved by the feet of Wladimiro Falcone, Lazio hit the front on the half-hour mark.
Toma Basic did very well to battle to keep the ball from crossing the byline, and he pulled it back to the arriving Matteo Guendouzi, who slid in and directed the ball just inside the left post to make it 1-0.
That well-taken goal meant Lecce’s quest to register three consecutive clean sheets in a single top-flight season for the first time since March 2004 fell at the final hurdle.
Lazio thought they had made the perfect start to the second half when Dia found the net five minutes after the restart, however, he was adjudged to have fouled Tiago Gabriel when battling for the ball inside the area. Maurizio Sarri’s men must have wondered what they had to do to double their advantage, as Adam Marusic’s close-range header was saved by Falcone before the ball rebounded to Gustav Isaksen, whose right-footed effort was also denied.
The home side would have been concerned at not making the most of their superiority as their lead remained at one heading into the closing stages, however, the visitors were far from their attacking best.
Lecce’s gameplan of looking to frustrate Lazio had worked to a large extent as they forced a nervy conclusion to the game, however, they never really showed enough quality in the final third.
Their fate was sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Tijjani Noslin found the net with a close-range header after his initial effort had been saved.
Victory lifts Lazio into the top eight and within touching distance of the European places, while Lecce remain 16th and just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio)