Lazio have started their Serie A campaign with a comfortable 2-1 win over Udinese at the Olimpico tonight, thanks to early goals from Hernanes and Antonio Candreva.

Vladimir Petkovic's side wasted no time in stamping their authority on the opening fixture, taking the lead on 13 minutes through Hernanes.

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The Brazilian broke clear out wide and drove beyond Danilo to make space for a shot, squeezing a precise shot into the top corner from a tight angle.

Three minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, after Ivan Kelava raced off his line to bring down Miroslav Klose.

Candreva stepped up to convert with confidence from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with an assured strike.

Udinese brought off Antonio Di Natale at half-time, perhaps with one eye on Thursday's Europa League qualifier, as Luis Muriel came on in search of a response.

Muriel quickly helped the visitors reduce the deficit, beating the offside trap with pace before chipping the onrushing Federico Marchetti.

The visitors went in search of a late equaliser but spurned by far their most promising opening of the night in the closing stages, as Piotr Zielinski stumbled with the goal at his mercy.