Lazio’s Defender Patric was sent off for biting late on in a loss at Lecce that dealt a massive blow to their title hopes.
Lazio defender Patric sent off for biting opponent during damaging Lecce loss for Serie A title chasers. Lazio‘s Serie A title challenge is all but over after they lost 2-1 to relegation threatened Lecce on Tuesday night.
With the added embarrassment of one of their players being sent off for biting an opponent.
Felipe Caicedo had scored a fifth-minute opener for the visitors but Khouma Babacar headed in Filippo Falco’s cross to level on 30 minutes.
Struggling Lecce completed the turnaround after half-time, as defender Fabio Lucioni headed in from a corner.
Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio remain seven points behind leaders Juventus, who themselves lost 4-2 against AC Milan.
A disappointing evening for Lazio was further soured by Patric’s indefensible bite on Donati, identified clearly by a video assistant referee review.
As the Lecce defender organised his team-mates to defend a set-piece with outstretched arms, Patric lent in from behind and bit Donati just above the elbow,
The hosts had responded well to their early set-back, having also seen Marco Mancuso’s third-minute goal disallowed by VAR due to a handball in the build-up.
Mancuso then blazed a penalty over the bar at the end of a lively first half, after the ball had struck Patric on the arm.
Serie A’s leading goalscorer Ciro Immobile was denied at close range by Lecce goalkeeper Gabriel as Lazio suffered a third defeat in five games since the league restarted.
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