Luis Alberto scored the only goal as Lazio moved fourth in the Italian league with a 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Saturday.
The midfielder struck in the 24th minute, assisted by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, at Rome’s Olympic Stadium.
Lazio has 43 points from 23 games and trails leader Inter Milan by seven points. Inter plays second-place AC Milan on Sunday in the highly charged city derby.
Sampdoria's Adrien Silva, left, and Lazio's Adam Marusic vie for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Fifth-place Juventus can leapfrog Lazio when it hosts last-place Crotone on Monday.
Mid-table Sampdoria has 30 points.
Later Saturday, it's Genoa vs. Hellas Verona and Sassuolo vs Bologna.
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Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri holds the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
The empty seats of the Olympic stadium are reflected on the windows of the press center during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)