Rome - Arab Today
Carlos Tevez scored his second Serie A goal in as many weeks as champions Juventus sunk Lazio 4-1 to sit second in the early standings behind Napoli, 4-2 winners earlier at Chievo. Lazio started in positive fashion, Hernanes picking up a loose ball from Juve defender Andrea Barzagli to test Gianluigi Buffon with the goalkeeper parrying for a corner. But it served only to waken Juventus from their slumber and until Arturo Vidal\'s 14th minute opener they consigned the visitors to their own third of the pitch as they launched assault after assault. Vidal broke the deadlock in style, timing his run onto Paul Pogba\'s sumptuous ball perfectly to beat a poor Lazio offside trap and then flick the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti. Barely ten minutes later the Chilean international, Juve\'s top scorer last season, doubled the hosts\' lead thanks to another well-timed move as Lazio\'s defence fell asleep. Lazio reduced the arrears barely a minute later when Gianluigi Buffon pushed Hernanes\'s fierce 25-metre drive into the path of Miroslav Klose. The big Germany striker rushed to get to the ball first ahead of Bonucci to shove it home and open his account for the season. Juve edged closer to sealing their second win of the campaign when Vucinic latched on to another inch-perfect long ball from Bonucci, beating Marchetti with a deft touch at the \'keeper\'s left-hand post. Lazio\'s chances of taking anything from the match faded in the 63rd minute when Hernanes saw red for a second bookable offence, a blatant handball in the Bianconeri area. Although Lazio produced several half-chances, Vladimir Petkovic\'s men never really threatened and Tevez virtually sealed the win ten minutes from time. A great pass from Vidal on the right flank was dummied by Vucinic and when Tevez took possession he turned Lorik Cana on the edge of the area before beating Marchetti with a well-placed low shot. Earlier, Marek Hamsik scored his second brace in as many Serie A games and Gonzalo Higuain netted his first goal for Napoli as Rafael Benitez\'s side won 4-2 at Chievo. On Sunday, Roma entertain Verona before Inter travel to Catania, Genoa face Fiorentina and AC Milan host Cagliari in the pick of the later matches. Source: FIFA