Lazio kept their push for a European place alive after ending a poor recent away run against Bologna with a 2-0 victory at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, thanks to two late goals from Kenneth Taylor.
With both sides still chasing a stronger finish in Serie A, the first half was largely a tight and cautious affair between teams placed eighth and ninth. Lazio saw more of the ball in the opening stages, but struggled to create clear-cut openings, with Adam Marušić’s effort comfortably dealt with by Federico Ravaglia.
Bologna gradually settled and came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half when Nikola Moro unleashed a powerful strike from distance that crashed against the angle of post and bar, with Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta beaten.
Lazio’s best openings before the break came on the counter, again with Marušić heavily involved. The right-sided threat found space once more but failed to make the most of it, sending a cross shot over the bar when he may have been better placed to pick out a team mate in the box.
The key turning point came shortly after the restart. A loose pass from Fisayo Dele Bashiru gifted possession to Bologna, and Santiago Castro was brought down inside the area by Motta. However, the Lazio goalkeeper immediately made amends by diving low to his right to save Riccardo Orsolini’s penalty and keep the match level.
That stop proved crucial. Bologna appeared rattled by the missed chance, while Lazio began to grow into the contest with greater belief as the second half wore on.
With the game seemingly drifting towards a draw, Taylor produced the moment Lazio needed in the 72nd minute, showing composure inside the area to guide the ball into the bottom corner and finally break the deadlock.
The visitors then struck again 10 minutes later, and it was Taylor once more at the heart of it. The midfielder rounded Ravaglia and calmly slotted into the empty net to complete his brace and wrap up an important away win.
The result gives Lazio a third consecutive victory and keeps their European ambitions alive, while Bologna slip to ninth after missing the chance to strengthen their own position.
