Lecce 2-1 Lazio: Patric sent off in defeat for visitors for biting
- Published
Patric's red card came in the 93rd minute with Lazio already 2-1 down
Lazio's Patric was sent off for biting late on in a loss at Lecce that dealt a massive blow to their title hopes.
Defender Patric was shown a straight red card for biting Lecce's Giulio Donati on the arm in injury time.
Felipe Caicedo had scored a fifth-minute opener for the visitors but Khouma Babacar headed in Filippo Falco's cross to level on 30 minutes.
Struggling Lecce completed the turnaround after half-time, as defender Fabio Lucioni headed in from a corner.
Simone Inzaghi's Lazio remain seven points behind leaders Juventus, who themselves lost 4-2 against AC Milan.
A disappointing evening for Lazio was further soured by Patric's indefensible bite on Donati, identified clearly by a video assistant referee review.
As the Lecce defender organised his team-mates to defend a set-piece with outstretched arms, Patric lent in from behind and bit Donati just above the elbow,
The hosts had responded well to their early set-back, having also seen Marco Mancuso's third-minute goal disallowed by VAR due to a handball in the build-up.
Mancuso then blazed a penalty over the bar at the end of a lively first half, after the ball had struck Patric on the arm.
Serie A's leading goalscorer Ciro Immobile was denied at close range by Lecce goalkeeper Gabriel as Lazio suffered a third defeat in five games since the league restarted.