Roma's 'betrayer' gives them a capital win over rivals Lazio

When club’s legend Daniele De Rosi was sacked by his boyhood club Roma last September, the fans went mad, and so were the players. Lorenzo Pellegrini, along with defender Gianluca Mancini, attempted to persuade the club's management to reconsider De Rossi's dismissal, but failed. Somehow, the fans were convinced that it was Pellegrini was the one who ‘betrayed’ De Rossi and turned against him. There were ugly scenes outside the training ground, there were boos, but after today’s performance and the winning goal in the 1-0 win, it's safe to say the quarrels are behind the fans and Lorenzo. The scorer for another Roma win in the Derby Della Capitale (Giallorossi are unbeaten in their last four league derbies against Lazio) was cheered when he left the field, while Pellegrini replied with a heart emoji.

After a bad start of the season (two defeats from the outsiders) Lazio couldn’t afford to lose this derby and yet they did, only because their own mistake. And the biggest one came from former Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares. The five-million-euro signing was good last season while on loan (nine assists in all competition), but today he made a mistake and lost the ball deep in his territory which resulted with the only goal of the match. The other big mistake was a clear, one on one chance which Boulaye Dia missed. The Senegalese striker could have got at least a point for his team but embarrassed himself. And when Lazio players stayed with 10 men on the field after Belahyane got the red card in the 85th minute it was over, but the trouble will continue for Mauricio Sarri and Lazio in the weeks to come.

Considering the importance of the match and the current form of the two clubs, the first half and hour was painful to watch. Both set of players were focused on not losing the ball so we saw nothing apart from Pedro’s potential good chance in the 17th minute, but former Barcelona (and Roma) ace is not what he used to be. He was alone in the blink of a second but shot terribly wide. Tavares was in little less favorable situation minutes later and also didn’t do well, but at least he is the defender and scoring goals form half-chances is not his specialty. Roma keeper Rade Svilar was finally forced into a (good) save in the 28th minute, after a good shot from Zaccagni. Until the 38th minute, Roma did absolutely nothing, not even a shot, but everything changed after Tavares’ mistake. Former Gunner lost the ball deep in his own half to Rensch who quickly passed it to Soule and the Argentinian fed Pellegrini, who took an instant shot without much thinking and it went in -0:1.

Tavares was subbed at half time, just like the injured Rovella but when the former Gunner was not there, mistake was made by Boulaye Dia. The Senegalese got the deep ball from his own half and ran a great counter attack. He was one on one with Svilar but missed the entire goal. This was Lazio’s best chance of the game, but there were others too. Castellanos was next with an opportunity when he curled a right-footed shot to the far post. The ball went just wide. Finally, deep in injury time Cataldi struck the bar with a stunning shot, but the ball didn’t go in. Lazio’s Belahyane go the red card in the 85th minute after a clumsy challenge on Kone, while another ex Gunner Guendouzi got another red card after the game, due to protest.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 4

Friday

Lecce - Cagliari 1-2 (1-1)

/Gabriel 5 - Belotti 33, 71 pen/

Saturday

Bologna - Genoa 2-1 (0-0)

/Castro 73, Orsolini 90+9 pen - Ellertsson 63/

Verona - Juventus 1-1 (1-1)

/Orban 44 pen - Conceicao 19/

Udinese - Milan 0-3 (0-1)

/Pulisic 40, 53, Fofana 46/

Sunday

Lazio - Roma 0-1 (0-1)

/Pellegrini 36/

16.00: (2.55) Cremonese (3.15) Parma (2.95)

16.00: (3.50) Torino (3.35) Atalanta (2.25)

19.00: (2.65) Fiorentina (3.15) Como (2.80)

21.45: (1.30) Inter (5.50) Sassuolo (10.0)

Monday

21.45: (1.25) Napoli (5.70) Pisa (13.0)

*** odds are subject to change***