Lazio did not play to their usual standards as they slumped to a miserable 1-0 loss to Ivan Juric’s Torino.
The Biancocelesti had won seven of their last eight Serie A outings heading into the clash with the Granata and looked to be charging to a Champions League finish, being undefeated for two months in the league.
In comparison, Torino have been widely inconsistent this season and had not won in their last four league games, keeping things tense in the Piedmont capital.
Lazio started the match with their usual positivity but soon Torino’s gameplan became clear, with the Granata being physical off the ball and patient in possession, frustrating the Biancocelesti.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Ivan Ilic managed to find the back of the net with a well-placed long shot, beating a diving Ivan Provedel to make it 1-0 to Torino, leaving Lazio exasperated.
Lazio did try to fight back in the second half but clearly couldn’t find their rhythm, often being left frustrated by the Granata’s resilient defending and regular physicality.
Ciro Immobile, who was involved in a car crash last week, did appear just before the hour mark but could do little but watch in on horror as the Biancocelesti slumped to defeat, unable to find an equaliser.
Lazio’s defeat now gives Juventus the chance to overtake them in the league table, although they still have a slight cushion over inter-city rivals Roma, who sit fourth.
