Lazio claimed a hard-fought 1–0 victory over relegation-threatened Empoli in Matchday 35 of the Serie A, in a match defined more by red cards than goals.

Ukrainian midfielder Viktor Kovalenko was unavailable for the home side due to injury and was not included in the matchday squad. His absence was felt early, as Lazio took the lead in the opening minute thanks to a sharp finish from Boulaye Dia.

Despite the lightning start, no further goals followed — but drama certainly did. The game turned physical and chaotic, with two players seeing red. Lorenzo Colombo was the first to go, receiving his marching orders in the 38th minute after a reckless challenge. Elseid Hysaj of Lazio followed suit in the 76th minute, evening the numbers but not the scoreline.

With the win, Lazio leapfrogged Juventus to move into fourth place in the Serie A table, boosting their hopes of securing Champions League football next season. For Empoli, the defeat is a serious blow in their battle for survival. They remain 19th, two points adrift of safety with just a handful of games remaining.

2024-25, Italy - Serie A

Empoli - Lazio 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Dia B., 1 (0:1)

Empoli: Vasquez D.; Goglichidze S. (Sambia, 46); Pezzella; Viti M. (Campaniello, 90); Ismajli; Marianucci; Fazzini; Cacace; Solbakken (Konate I., 59); Gyasi E.; Colombo (till 39)
Bench: Silvestri; Seghetti; Brancolini; De Sciglio; Tosto L.; Bacci; Esposito Se.
Yellow Cards: Colombo 34, 39; Goglichidze S. 45; Pezzella 84; Viti M. 89
Red cards: Colombo 39'

Lazio: Mandas; Gigot; Pellegrini Lu. (Gila, 70); Romagnoli; Hysaj (till 76); Rovella (Nielsen O., 78); Guendouzi; Zaccagni (Pedro, 70); Marušić (Isaksen G., 46); Castellanos; Dia B. (Vecino, 58)
Bench: Furlanetto; Provedel; Dele-Bashiru F.; Belahyane Reda; Basic Т.; Ibrahimovic A.; Noslin; Tchaouna
Yellow Cards: Pellegrini Lu. 56; Hysaj 66, 76; Vecino 88; Nielsen O. 94
Red cards: Hysaj 76'