Lazio surge as stuttering Roma stand by Ranieri

Lazio opened up a five-point lead at the top of Serie A ahead of Sunday’s late game following a 2-1 home success against Cagliari.

Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli could all cut that lead when they play.

Earlier, Roma bosses insisted they would keep faith with coach Claudio Ranieri despite the club missing the chance to climb up the table as they were held to a goalless draw in a drab match in Parma.

But at the top Lazio’s dream start to the season continued as they downed Cagliari, now worryingly sitting second from bottom after a single victory in their eight games — a 5-1 thrashing of Roma.

Sergio Floccari got Lazio off to a positive start, lashing home on 21 minutes after the ball fell to him when two Hernanes efforts were blocked.

Stefano Mauri doubled the lead on 53 minutes in fortunate fashion as he stumbled and fell over, only for a cross from the left to hit him in the stomach and go in.

Alessandro Matri’s diving header from Andrea Cossu’s cross six minutes later left Lazio hanging on at the end.

Following Roma’s turbulent start to the season and their humiliating midweek Champions League loss at home to Basel, they needed a win to kick-start their campaign.

But instead they looked lacking in ideas and conviction but sports director Daniele Prade insisted they won’t be changing coaches.

“It is a communal decision to continue our media boycott and the rumours about a change of coach are certainly not coming from us,” said Prade, as both Ranieri and the players refuse to speak to the press.

“I will repeat, Ranieri is not going to be replaced, he has our confidence and we’ve never looked at anyone else.”

The draw leaves Roma seven points off their city rivals Lazio, who lead the league, having played a game more.

Fernando Marques almost gave the hosts a dream start but Roma goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont tipped his rising effort from 20 yards over the bar after just three minutes.

Marco Borriello was next to threaten for the visitors as he turned in the area but his right-foot finish was weak and wide.

Roma captain Francesco Totti then sent a free-kick over the bar before the hosts came closest yet to taking the lead, again through Marques.

Alessandro Lucarelli bundled past Cicinho and teed up Massimo Gobbi who chipped to the back post to the unmarked Marques but on the slide the Spaniard finished wastefully high.

The best chance of the second-half came four minutes from time on a Roma counter-attack but Julio Baptista, having hesitated when left with only one defender to beat, then missed the chance to play Stefano Okaka in on goal and the chance went begging.

Juventus failed to go second as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Bologna.

The visitors had a chance to go in front on 34 minutes after a questionable penalty decision when it appeared that Milos Krasic had dived in the box.

Justice was done, though, as Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano saved Vincenzo Iaquinta’s spot-kick.