Lazio vs Udinese

Nine points from a possible nine. That is the perfect arithmetic keeping Lazio at the summit of Serie A, a flawless opening sequence they have managed only twice before in their entire history. Gennaro Gattuso’s side secured that third straight victory on September 7, 2026, overturning a second-half deficit to beat Udinese 2-1 at the Bluenergy Stadium and keep pace with Inter Milan and Roma at the top of the table.[3][4]

Lazio entered the Monday evening fixture knowing a win would maintain their 100 percent record, having already dispatched Bologna and Genoa by identical 1-0 scorelines. Udinese, unbeaten in their first two matches under Kosta Runjaic, presented a formidable physical challenge in front of 23,312 supporters in northeastern Italy.[2][3]

The first 45 minutes were defined more by attrition than fluid attacking play, with both sides struggling to establish sustained possession. Udinese’s game plan was severely disrupted by two early casualties that forced Runjaic to burn through his substitution windows. Midfielder Jakub Piotrowski was forced off after just 16 minutes, and defender Oumar Solet followed him down the tunnel seven minutes before the interval.[1][2]

Despite the enforced reshuffle, the hosts broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart. English forward Keinan Davis held the ball up intelligently before backheeling a pass into the path of Jesper Karlstrom. The Swedish midfielder took a deliberate, delayed touch before firing his shot through the legs of Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, becoming the first player to breach Lazio's defense this season.[1][3]

Facing their first deficit of the campaign, Gattuso’s side intensified their pressure. The equalizer arrived in the 75th minute, orchestrated by captain Mattia Zaccagni. Skipping past his marker on the left flank, Zaccagni delivered a precise low cross into the six-yard box. Davide Frattesi, who had already scored the winning goals in Lazio’s first two matches, stretched to lift the ball into the roof of the net for his third goal in as many games.[3][6]

With the momentum firmly shifted, Gattuso introduced summer signing Albert Gudmundsson in the 80th minute to replace Frattesi. The substitution paid dividends almost immediately. In the 88th minute, Lazio exploited the left side once again. Danilho Doekhi found space near the byline and whipped an outswinging cross into the area, which Gudmundsson met with a powerful header to seal the 2-1 victory on his debut.[1][3]

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"The mentality and the desire," Gattuso told reporters after the match, reflecting on his team's resilience and tactical evolution. "We dismantled everything compared to last year, when there was a master of the 4-3-3, and we are trying to do something different. The lads are doing things well. What we are trying to propose is not easy, but the team is alive."[5]

On the opposing bench, Runjaic acknowledged the toll the early injuries took on his side's ability to manage the game. "We lost Piotrowski and Solet and we paid a heavy price for those two changes, as we lost two substitution slots, so I had doubts," the Udinese coach explained. "Lazio played well, they are a strong team and they have bought strong players. We could have taken a point, but they certainly deserved to score at least one goal."[8]

The result leaves Udinese on four points from their opening three fixtures, a respectable return that will be tested next Monday when they travel to San Siro to face Inter Milan. For Lazio, the victory validates a summer of significant tactical and personnel changes. Sitting joint-top of the table with nine points, Gattuso’s squad has established early momentum as they prepare for a highly anticipated clash against AC Milan.[2][4][5]