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Lazio go into fourth place with this comfortable victory at the Stadio Sant'Elia, but Antonio Langella saw red for a shocking tackle.
The Biancocelesti have been on fine form recently and were within a point of fourth place going into this game following four straight clean sheets. They were without Angelo Peruzzi, Stephen Makinwa and Gaby Mudingayi, while Cagliari had Mauro Esposito, Diego Lopez and Antonio Chimenti sidelined. Valon Behrami returned to his usual midfield role after a spell at right-back. The last five Serie A editions of this fixture have ended in a draw.
Simone Pepe's header was off target and David Suazo hit the upright, although it wouldn't have counted as he was offside.
An inspired Stefano Mauri through ball sent Tommaso Rocchi clear, but his finish was far too weak and rolled past the far post.
It was Lazio who took the lead with Emilson Sanchez Cribari's first goal of the season. The defender was allowed a totally free header on Cristian Ledesma's free kick from the right.
Rocchi doubled their advantage at the Stadio Sant'Elia with a goal that has become known as the 'Del Piero style' - a right-foot curler from the corner of the area into the top far pinnacle of the net.
Diego Lopez came on for the second half and nodded Andrea Capone's header off target.
Antonio Langella came on, but was sent off 18 minutes later for a shockingly bad tackle on Manuel Belleri. He came sliding in very late and hacked down the defender's leg.
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