MILAN: Depleted Lazio moved up to third place in Italy’s Serie A to sit six points off leaders Juventus after earning a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to Verona on Thursday.

Senad Lulic got the visitors off the mark three minutes before half-time but Verona were handed a lifeline when defender Luis Cavanda saw red for a second bookable offence after fouling Juanito Gomez in the area.

Veteran Verona striker Luca Toni stepped up to beat Federico Marchetti from the penalty spot and level in the 69th minute but Verona failed to capitalise on their man advantage.

It was Lazio’s first draw of the season but, following a run of four consecutive wins for Stefano Pioli’s men, was enough to move them up to third just ahead of Milan on goal difference.

Lazio, Milan, Sampdoria and Udinese are all six points adrift of Juventus, who lost their first game of the season away to Genoa on Wednesday (1-0) and are on equal points with second-placed Roma.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2014