ROME - Lazio's hopes of going fourth in Serie A were dashed on Monday as Diego Perotti's penalty was enough to secure Genoa a 1-0 victory in Rome.
Genoa's forward from Argentina Diego Perotti celebrates after scoring a goal during the match Lazio vs Genoa on February 9, 2015 at Rome's Olympic stadium
Genoa's first win in eight games -- though it was their eighth successive victory over their opponents -- saw them move into seventh place, just two points off Lazio in sixth.
Lazio had made a bright start testing visiting goalkeeper Mattia Perin on a couple of occasions first deflecting a shot by Lucas Biglia onto a post and then got down well to deny midfielder Antonio Candreva.
However, the pivotal moment came in the 30th minute when Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was sent off for bringing down M'Baye Niang in the area -- replacement goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was unable to prevent Perotti converting the resulting penalty.
With their backs against the wall there was little chance for the Lazio players to impress watching Italy coach Antonio Conte.
The hosts former Italy international 35-year-old Stefano Mauri went closest to levelling the game but his 66th minute effort hit a post.