Razvan Marin struck in the dying minutes to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw for Empoli at Lazio on Sunday, the Tuscans earning a point after being two goals down with seven minutes remaining. Romania midfielder Marin lashed home the leveller in the fourth minute of stoppage time to stun Lazio who are three points from the Champions League positions in fifth after throwing away a lead for the second time in a week.
Lazio looked set for a comfortable win when a neat finish from Mattia Zaccagni eight minutes after the break added to Felipe Anderson’s second-minute glancing header.
Lazio were playing without the concentrated support of their hardcore fans after the Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico was closed as punishment for racist chants directed at Samuel Umtiti during Wednesday’s defeat at Lecce.And Maurizio Sarri’s team didn’t look in need of their vociferous support against 13th-placed Empoli until Francesco Caputo pulled one back with an expert finish, setting up the away side to take a precious point with Marin’s fine effort.
Empoli are one point ahead of Monza and Salernitana following the latter’s 1-1 home draw with Torino in the day’s opening match.Later on Sunday, Napoli will try to go seven points clear at the top of Serie A at Sampdoria, who will pay tribute to their deceased greats Sinisa Mihajlovic and Gianluca Vialli.Napoli are trailed by Juventus, winners over Udinese on Saturday, and AC Milan who are five points back in third ahead of their home match with Roma on Sunday night.SERIE A – Round 17SaturdayFiorentina – Sassuolo 2-1 (0-0)/Saponara 48, Gonzalez 90+1 pen – Berardi 57 pen/Juventus – Udinese 1-0 (0-0)/Danilo 86/Monza – Inter 2-2 (1-2)/Ciurria 11, Caldirola 90+3 – Darmian 10, Lautaro 22/SundaySalernitana – Torino 1-1 (0-1)/Vilhena 49 – Sanabria 36/Lazio – Empoli 2-2 (1-0)/Anderson 2, Zaccagni 54 – Caputo 83, Marin 90+4/Spezia – Lecce 0-0Sampdoria – Napoli (in progress)/Osimhen 19/22:45: (1.95) Milan (3.50) Roma (4.40)Monday20:30: (2.20) Verona (3.35) Cremonese (3.35)22:45: (3.60) Bologna (3.40) Atalanta (2.20)***odds are subject to change***