Lazio 3-1 Monza: Aquile Fly to Second Place as They Surpass Roma

FolioPitch.com – 12 October 2026 | Lazio 3-1 Monza Aquile Fly to Second Place as They Surpass Roma – that was the headline at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon as the Biancocelesti delivered a commanding performance to leapfrog their arch-rivals and claim second spot in Serie A. Gennaro Gattuso‘s men picked up right where they left off before the international break, securing a well-deserved victory over a struggling Monza side. The win, combined with Roma’s draw at Como earlier in the day, allowed Lazio to climb above their city rivals on goal difference, sitting just behind Inter Milan at the summit.

Early Blitz Sets the Tone

Lazio needed only three minutes to break the deadlock. Davide Frattesi’s relentless pressing won possession high up the pitch, and Tijjani Noslin quickly spotted Nuno Tavares overlapping on the left. The Portuguese full-back unleashed a ferocious strike that flew into the roof of the net, leaving Monza goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist with no chance. It was the perfect start for the Aquile, who continued to dominate proceedings.

The home side nearly doubled their lead moments later when Kenneth Taylor found Frattesi between the lines. The Italian international drove forward and had a clear sight of goal but opted to square for Noslin, whose tame effort was easily gathered by Tornqvist. Another slick move involving Tavares and Mattia Zaccagni ended with Frattesi heading wide from close range as Lazio piled on the pressure.

Monza thought they had equalised against the run of play when Gustavo Varela latched onto a loose ball and found the net, but the offside flag cut short their celebrations. It was a brief reprieve for the visitors, who were soon undone again.

Isaksen Doubles the Lead as Monza Crumble

In the 23rd minute, Lazio’s dominance paid off once more. Noslin turned provider, teeing up Gustav Isaksen on the right side of the penalty area. The Danish winger’s first-time curler was inch-perfect, nestling into the bottom corner beyond Tornqvist’s reach. It was a goal of real quality and underlined Lazio’s attacking threat.

Monza’s misery deepened ten minutes later when Lorenzo Lucchesi was sent off. The defender halted Noslin’s surging run after the Dutchman had been released by a long ball from Reda Belahyane, and the referee had no hesitation in brandishing the red card. It was a decision that left the visitors with ten men for the remaining hour and effectively ended their hopes of a comeback.

Monza’s Brief Revival

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Monza emerged after the break with renewed vigour, making three half-time substitutions. Their positive approach paid immediate dividends when they pulled a goal back in the 46th minute. Birindelli’s corner was flicked on by Dany Mota, and Saba Goglichidze poked home from close range to give the visitors a lifeline.

The Biancorossi nearly equalised moments later when Mota broke clear on the counter, but Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas produced an awkward save to deny him. Birindelli then had a golden opportunity from a slightly acute angle but failed to hit the target. Monza continued to threaten from set-pieces, with Mota’s header at the near post forcing another fine save from Mandas, who palmed the ball to safety.

Substitutes Seal the Deal

Gattuso’s substitutions helped Lazio regain their composure and control. The introduction of Alfonso Pedraza and Andrea Pinamonti added fresh impetus, and the Aquile began to exploit the spaces left by a tiring Monza side. Zaccagni forced a stunning save from Tornqvist with a curling effort, while Isaksen was denied by the post after being released by Pinamonti’s header.

The third goal finally arrived in the 86th minute. Zaccagni released Pedraza down the left, and the Spaniard’s cut-back found Pinamonti inside the box. The Italian striker showed a clinical touch, guiding the ball into the net with a simple yet delicate finish to open his account for the club. The goal was witnessed by Lazio’s all-time top scorer, Ciro Immobile, who was watching from the stands, and it capped a thoroughly professional performance.

Conclusion

Lazio 3-1 Monza Aquile Fly to Second Place as They Surpass Roma is a result that sends a clear message to the rest of Serie A. Gattuso’s side demonstrated their attacking flair, defensive resilience, and squad depth, with substitutes making a decisive impact. The victory lifts them above Roma and puts them hot on the heels of Inter Milan. For Monza, the defeat leaves them rooted in trouble, and the red card to Lucchesi proved a turning point they could not recover from. As the season progresses, Lazio’s ability to grind out results while playing attractive football will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware. The Aquile are flying high, and their rivals have been warned.