Felipe Anderson stars as Lazio inch closer to Champions League place

Brazilian starlet Felipe Anderson recorded a goal and an assist in Lazio's 3-0 win.
AP Photo/Marco Vasini

Lazio remained in the hunt for Champions League football with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo on Sunday.

The capital club remained in fourth place but turned up the heat on Napoli and Roma above them as goals from Felipe Anderson, substitute Miroslav Klose and Marco Parolo sealed victory.

It was Lazio's third straight win and ensured they would go into their Coppa Italia clash with Napoli in midweek full of confidence.

The visitors took a while to break down a team who came into the game on the back of consecutive losses, Keita Balde Diao going close on a number of occasions

But the goal, when it came on the stroke of halftime, was worth waiting for.

The ball fell to Felipe just outside the area and he knocked the ball out of his feet before curling a glorious right-footed effort into the top corner.

The Brazilian turned provider in the 70th minute as he swept over a cross from the right which Klose, from a central position just outside the six-yard box, headed down and into the net.

The veteran German striker had only been on the pitch for four minutes but it was his third chance, having earlier been unable to force the ball in from close range and then failing to beat Andrea Consigli when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Parolo made the points safe seven minutes later, taking advantage of Felipe's shot falling kindly to him and clipping the ball past Consigli from close range.

Game Information

MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore
2:00 PM, 1 March 2015
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Attendance: 11,807