Cataldi keeps vow by scoring for hospitalised teammate

Danilo Cataldi texted hospitalised Fiorentina teammate Edoardo Bove to say he would score for him, then fulfilled his promise in a 1-0 win over Cagliari.

It was Fiorentina's first Serie A match since Bove collapsed on the field during a game against Inter Milan last weekend and was placed in a medically induced coma.

The 22-year-old has been awake and alert since last Monday as doctors continue to investigate the cause of his collapse.

Cataldi found the top corner midway through the first half on Sunday (Monday AEDT) and that was all Fiorentina needed for their eighth straight win in the Italian league to match the club record set in 1960.

After he scored, Cataldi ran towards a TV camera, held up four fingers to match Bove's No.4 jersey, then created a heart symbol with his fingers as he shouted, "I told you. I told you."

"I texted him before the match, saying: 'Watch the game on TV because I'm going to score a goal into the top corner'," Cataldi said. "He said it was 'impossible'. We're pleased that he's feeling well and about these three points."

Fiorentina, who have a game in hand after the match against Inter was abandoned, moved level on points with third-placed Inter.

Fiorentina are three points behind new leaders Atalanta, who are on a nine-game winning streak, and one point behind second-placed Napoli, beaten 1-0 at home by Lazio.

Gustav Isaksen scored for Lazio with a long-range shot late in the second half.

Lazio also moved level on points with Inter and Fiorentina.

Napoli had led for most of the season under first-year coach Antonio Conte but have now lost at home to both Atalanta and Lazio.

Lazio have won six of their past seven matches.

In other games, Empoli won 4-1 at Hellas Verona and moved up to ninth, and Venezia and Como drew 2-2.