Lazio beat intercity rivals Roma 3-2 in a thrilling Derby della Capitale yesterday, a key game for the Biancocelesti.
Coach Maurizio Sarri’s side managed to overcome Jose Mourinho’s team in an electric and tense affair in the Stadio Olimpico last night, in a game that contained exciting counter-attacks, a controversial penalty call and passionate fans from both sides.
Below are Lazio and Roma’s squads in yesterday’s derby:
- Lazio (4-3-3): Pepe Reina; Adam Marusic, Luiz Felipe, Francesco Acerbi, Elseid Hysaj; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva (’60 Danilo Cataldi), Luis Alberto (’66 Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro); Felipe Anderson, Ciro Immobile (’89 Vedat Muriqi), Pedro.
- Roma (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio; Rick Karsdorp (82’ Chris Smalling), Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibanez, Matias Vina (’82 Nicola Zalewski); Jordan Veretout, Bryan Cristante; Nicolo Zaniolo, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Stephan El Shaarawy (’66 Eldor Shomurodov); Tammy Abraham.
Lazio started the derby well, holding the early momentum as the two teams settled into the match.
The Biancocelesti took advantage of their position in the 10th minute, with Felipe Anderson providing a cross for Milinkovic-Savic, who scored to make it 1-0 before colliding with Rui Patricio.
Video: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Puts Lazio up 1-0 in Derby vs Roma
Roma attempted to respond, but only nine minutes later Lazio doubled their lead, with Immobile setting up a nice assist for winger Pedro, who scored against his former club to make it 2-0.
Video: Immobile Sets up Pedro to Put Lazio Ahead 2-0 Against Roma
Things evened out a little after this, with Reina making an impressive save to deny Veretout, Zaniolo’s headed effort somehow failing to cross the line and Immobile’s shot being saved by Rui Patricio.
In the 41st minute, Ibanez managed to claw one back for the Giallorossi from a corner, making it 2-1 just before half-time.
Video: Roger Ibanez Scores Header for Roma to Cut Lazio’s Lead in Half
It was a tense half-time break, with both teams in a position to win the match despite the Biancocelesti’s early momentum.
In the second half, Lazio pulled off a few attempts before managing to increase their advantage in the 63rd minute, with Felipe Anderson scoring following a quick counter-attack.
Video: Felipe Anderson Scores Lazio’s Third Goal Against Roma
In the 68th minute, Zaniolo went down in the penalty area, leading referee Marco Guida to immediately point to the spot. It seemed as if Akpa Akpro’s knee slightly collided with the back of Zaniolo’s foot, and so the penalty stood following a VAR check.
Veretout scored this penalty, with Reina diving the right way but failing to connect to the well-placed shot. 3-2.
Video: Jordan Veretout Converts Penalty to Bring Roma Within One of Lazio
Roma were in the driving seat after this, having a few chances that were well stopped by Reina, who cemented his spot in the starting 11 over Thomas Strakosha.
Lazio managed to hold on and, following five minutes of added time, the Biancocelesti secured their 3-2 win over Roma, leading to mass jubilation in the Curva Nord.
