Lazio 1-0 Genoa: Frattesi strikes again to preserve perfect Serie A start

Lazio made it two Serie A wins from two with another 1-0 victory, as Davide Frattesi once again delivered the decisive goal to sink Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico.

Frattesi had scored the winner on his league debut for Lazio against Bologna a week earlier, and the midfielder repeated the feat in Rome with the only goal of a tight contest.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute.

Nuno Tavares advanced down the left and produced a precise cross into the area, where Frattesi attacked the space and finished first time past Justin Bijlow.

It was exactly the type of late midfield run that has defined Frattesi’s attacking value throughout his Serie A career.

Genoa had arrived at the Olimpico looking for their first points of the season after losing their opener to Napoli, and Daniele De Rossi’s side remained competitive for long periods.

Andrea Pinamonti came close to an equaliser when he turned inside the penalty area and sent an effort narrowly wide, while Genoa attempted to push higher as the second half developed.

Lazio, however, protected their lead with increasing control.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side were not as fluid as they had been during their opening-weekend win at Bologna, but their defensive structure limited Genoa’s ability to turn possession into high-quality chances.

The atmosphere at the Olimpico also added an unusual backdrop.

The home sections were sparsely populated amid continuing supporter protests, meaning Lazio’s first home league match of the season unfolded in a subdued environment despite the positive start on the pitch.

That context did little to alter the outcome.

Frattesi’s goal proved enough for a second consecutive clean-sheet victory and strengthened the early impression that his arrival has given Lazio a midfield presence capable of deciding tight matches.

Before the game, Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi had described Frattesi as a rare type of Serie A midfielder because of his ability to arrive in scoring positions.

The warning proved accurate.

For Genoa, the defeat leaves them without a point after two league matches despite another competitive performance.

For Lazio, the significance is more positive: six points from six, two clean sheets and the same match-winner on both occasions.

Frattesi has needed only two Serie A appearances in a Lazio shirt to establish himself as the defining figure of Gattuso’s early league campaign.