26.09.2014 09:11 h

Lazio sunk by Thereau winner for Udinese

Cyril Théréau
Cyril Théréau

Udinese striker Cyril Thereau hit a first-half winner as the northerners stunned Lazio 1-0 at home to plunge the club into further crisis.

Thereau's 26th minute strike at the Olympic Stadium moved Udinese up to third place, only three points adrift of Juventus and Roma.

Lazio's third reverse of the campaign left Stefano Pioli's side sixth from bottom ahead of a tough trip away to promoted Palermo on Monday.

Udinese have enjoyed a solid start under new coach Andrea Stramaccioni, but the former Inter Milan handler called for humility.

"We've moved up to third place but we have to remain humble," Stramaccioni told Sky Sport Italia.

Stramaccioni claimed he wanted to sign Thereau while coach of Inter, who sacked him following the Nerazzurri's ninth-place finish in 2013.

"I wanted (to sign) him at Inter, he has the same characteristics as (Diego) Milito," Stramaccioni told Gazzetta dello Sport.

The pressure is growing on Pioli, who admitted Lazio -- now with one win and three defeats -- are stuck in a rut.

"I'm not at all satisfied at how we performed. Right now, things are not going well," he said.