Lazio hold off Bologna to collect points

Lazio have started the new Serie A season with a 2-1 victory over Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico.

After claiming a spot in the Champions League playoff round with a third-place finish last season, Stefano Pioli's side are under pressure to close the gap on Juventus and Roma, and they made the perfect start in the capital.

It took the hosts just 17 minutes to break the deadlock as a cross from the right caused chaos in the Bologna box, and Lucas Biglia reacted closest to the loose ball to finish emphatically from 18 yards.

Lazio continued to pile on the pressure and the second goal quickly arrived as Ricardo Kishna reacted quickest to a cross by taking a touch before firing home at the back post.

Despite struggling to carry much of a threat in the first half, Bologna reduced the deficit just before the break when Matteo Mancosu timed his run perfectly to sprint clear of the defence and beat Etrit Berisha with a shot that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

Lazio continued to dominate in the second half following the setback, with Keita Balde Diao dragging a shot just a few inches wide of the post.

Pioli may be disappointed that his side did not kill off the game with the chances they created as Antonio Mirante kept Bologna in the game with saves to deny Antonio Candreva and Danilo Cataldi.

It proved to be a dramatic finish as Bologna desperately searched for an equaliser, and only a fine save from Berisha prevented Matteo Brighi from snatching a point in stoppage time as Lazio held on for the win.