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Serie A Week 24 - 24/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Cagliari 1 - 0 Lazio
Matri 88 (C)
Stadio Sant'Elia

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Lazio are in dire straits after losing to 10-man Cagliari, who have been propping up the table all season.

Basement club Cagliari took on a Biancocelesti side hoping they had finally turned a corner with their 3-0 battering of Atalanta. Aleksander Kolarov's ban had expired, but influential Sardinian midfielder Daniele Conti was suspended. It was a special game for Pasquale Foggia, who is still co-owned by Lazio and was furious he wasn't given an opportunity to shine in Rome.

There was a long history of stalemates here with four straight draws before last season's 2-0 away victory. Marco Storari smothered Tommaso Rocchi's header from an Aleksander Kolarov cross, then the former Empoli striker's lob was over the bar.

Rocchi fired his third attempt of the game off target from the penalty spot, failing to make the most of a Goran Pandev cross from the right. Kolarov smashed one of his trademark low free kicks just past the near post from over 25 metres.

Marco Ballotta flapped a Michele Fini cross-shot out from under the bar, then Foggia combined with Jeda and brought another tough reaction save out of Ballotta's outstretched foot.

Just before the break Pandev had two consecutive efforts charged down by Lopez and Storari. Ledesma's cross from the right found Rocchi's header and an equally impressive save from Storari at the near post.

Fini was shown a straight red card for a horrific studs-up tackle on Gaby Mudingayi's shin, leaving Cagliari with 10 men for the final half-hour. The Lazio midfielder was fortunate to avoid a serious injury.

The Sardinians risked ending up with nine men, as Cossu was spared a second booking for his foul on Kolarov.

Rocchi set up Valon Behrami to bring a tough save out of Storari and Ledesma skimmed the woodwork from distance.

Joaquin Larrivey was booed off the pitch following another dismal performance and his replacement made the difference. Alessandro Matri got in front of his marker for a glancing header that flashed across Ballotta.


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Cagliari: Storari; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Fini, Cossu, Parola; Foggia (Biondini 67), Jeda; Larrivey (Matri 74)

Lazio: Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Radu, Kolarov; Mudingayi (Tare 89), Ledesma, Manfredini (De Silvestri 46); Mauri; Pandev (Bianchi 66), Rocchi

Ref: Pierpaoli

Sent off: Fini 63 (C)

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