A.S Roma 1 S.S Lazio 1 FT
Following Roma’s elimination from the Coppa Italia and a victory last weekend against Genoa, it was the match everyone in the city has been waiting for. The Roman Derby is otherwise known as the Derby Della Capitale between Roma and Lazio. There are not two sets of teams who have more distain for one another this is the meaning of the season. In Rome, the Derby means everything there is nothing that is more important. This would be the second meeting between them back on matchday 2 Roma and Lazio played out a 1-1 draw despite Lazio’s control they ended up only getting a point in that game. Lazio has shown themselves as possible title contenders this season they have won a historic 11 consecutive matches in a row. Meanwhile, Roma continues to try to fight down that final Champions League spot at the end of the season. Roma had the opportunity to end their run and gather that much-needed momentum and confidence. Roma seemed to show their superiority and control in the early part of the game. Keeping the Lazio’s stars in check neutralizing the opposition. Edin Dzeko would take advantage of Thomas strakosha’s mistake as Roma would take a 1-0 lead. Lazio would have a reply to shortly after as Paul Lopez made a horrendous error in his own right as Francesco acerbi equalized for Lazio. Outside of Lazio taking advantage of that error Roma was in complete control and dominate the match. To a certain extent, they exposed a Lazio team that showed nothing in this match that would suggest they should be challenging for trophies. The Roma mistake was a blessing in disguise for Lazio. They were second-best in all aspects of this game and we’re very fortunate to get out of it alive. Roma dominated this match from start to finish showing their superiority in the city. Unfortunately, Roma was not able to find that second goal that would have that secure the victory. Once again for the second straight game this season the Roman Derby is a 1-1 draw. In the first match Lazio was very unlucky and tonight Rome was unlucky as they were the better team throughout the entire. Both goalkeepers made errors in the game’s biggest moments that cost their teams points. Roma will feel dejected in a match they proved to be the better team and quite simply could have collected all three points equally Roma ended Lazio’s big winning run and possibly exposing them for the world to see.
Roma would line up out of their typical 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal for Roma would be the Spaniard Pau Lopez. Roma would make a few adjustments to their backline ahead of this match. At left-back would be Leonardo spinazzola, beside him would be the center-back partnership of Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling. Then occupying right-back would be Davie Santon. In the defensive Midfield, we would see the pair of Bryan cristante and Jordan veretout. In the attacking Midfield patrolling the central position would be Lorenzo Pellegrini. On the left-wing would be the Dutch youngster Justin kluivert. Then on the opposite side on the right-wing would it be Cengiz Under. Upfront as the main Striker none other than Edin Dzeko. Roma would also have Diego Perotti and others available off the Bench.
After preparations and predictions ahead of the match Derby day were finally here as we kicked off in Rome at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio 11 game win streak on the line with Roma looking to break it and get back into the Champions League place that they feel is rightfully theirs. Roma instilled their superiority early in the match. They did seem like the better team from the very first kick the ball. They controlled possession and look dangerous constantly Lazio look disoriented and not up for the challenge. Jordan Veretout came close from the center of the box after the play was orchestrated by Edin Dzeko. Just a few minutes later Roma nearly broke through as Gianluca Mancini saw his header go wide off a corner. Roma continued to pressurize the Lazio backline as they made their City Rivals as uncomfortable as possible. Eventually, Roma, we’re going to break through Lazio was barely in the game as Roma was it running all over them. Their moments came to fruition in the 26th minute. Following an atrocious Mistake by Lazio goalkeeper, Thomas strakosha Roma took advantage of it. Bryan Cristante hit a beautiful ball into the box to find Edin Dzeko. Thomas strakosha ran out to try to make a save on the ball being sent into the box. Edin Dzeko is six-foot-four and basically left his net unattended to. The Bosnian striker got his head to it as the ball landed in the back of the net as Edin Dzeko gave a Roma a 1-0 lead. It would be Edin Dzeko’s 12th goal of the season and his 99th goal for Roma as he approaches a 100 goals for the Italian club. Cengiz had an absolutely outstanding day as he orchestrates a counter-attack that almost leads to Roma’s second goal. He sent in a ball to Edin Dzeko who blasted a ball at close range, unfortunately, Thomas strakosha made the save. Roma nearly had a penalty as Kluivert was taken down in the box but VAR scraped the penalty in a controversial decision. After a horrendous goalkeeping error from Lazio. Roma we’re going to do the same in the 32nd minute Pau Lopez allowed Lazio to get back into the game. Coming off a high corner Lopez punch the ball upwards that almost went into the back of his own that is a really stupid mistake as Francesco acerbi equalized for Lazio. The Spanish goalkeeper made a horrible mistake but he has been in Sensational all season there’s no need to panic Roma has the best goalkeeper to lead them forward he just made a really bad error. Both goalkeepers we’re absolutely pathetic in the match as both contributed to goals for the opposition. Despite that Roma still were dominating their rivals Justin kluivert missed from distance before Lorenzo Pellegrini nearly put Roma back in front. A vicious shot from outside the box Clips the crossbar in the closing moments of the first half. in the Derby Della Capitale, it would be 1-1 after 45 minutes thanks to catastrophic Mistakes by both Keepers that caused goals for Edin Dzeko and Francesco acerbi.
It was a really strong first-half from Roma despite the blunder they were significantly the better team and Roma exposed Lazio in that first half to everyone in Italian football it seemed to only continue in the final 45 minutes. Jordan Veretout came close early in the second half but his shot from the middle of the box misfired. Roma continued to have utter control of the match. Their clinical finishing in front of the goal was not at the best but Lazio we’re providing next to nothing in the match it was all Roma all the time. A little later Edin Dzeko had another chance on a set-piece as he put his head through a cross but once again misfired. Roma continued to put immense pressure on Lazio. Lazio we’re untouchable for the last two months they have looked as consistent and strong as anyone arguing themselves into the race for the scudetto but Roma this evening made them look sloppy an average Lazio were as consistent and strong as anyone with about 20 minutes to go Edin Dzeko came close yet again the Bosnian was having an absolutely outstanding game Lazio had no answer for him. Even though he was unable to get another goal he was causing great problems between them. Roma continued to try to look for that winning goal as Justin kluivert came close with less than 20 minutes to go. Roma would bring on Diego Perotti and Alex Kolarov. Ciro Immobile who was quiet all day tried to pull one past Lopez who made a save on the League’s top scorer. Roma continued to try to find that winner. Lorenzo Pellegrini came close with 5 minutes came close with five minutes remaining. Before a pair of Edin Dzeko chances. Roma looked and searched for a way through but ultimately it was not meant to be. It ended in a 1-1 draw as Roma reclaim fourth-place. Roma without question should have been able to win the game but it tells a bigger story Lazio is not who we thought they were Roma push them around Lazio is not who we thought they were. In the conclusion of this game basketball legend, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash. This is not related to the game but my thoughts and feelings are with his family in a day that turned out to be a tragedy. Roma gets valuable points that should push them on the rest of the season after a really dominating performance.
Once again we see points being spared in the derby. After earning a 1-1 draw early in the season it was a complete flip of what we saw in the first match. In that draw earlier in the season Lazio was quite clearly the better team and hit the crossbar many occasions justifying the fact that they proved superiority in that match. In Romans match today it was the complete opposite Roma dominated the entire duration of the match from start to finish proving to be the better team ending lazio’s winning streak and quite clearly exposing them for what they are. If it wasn’t for some goalkeeping errors Roma would have won this game. Equally, both goalkeepers need to take responsibility for the matches they had. On both goals, Thomas strakosha and Pau Lopez cost their respective teams valuable points. Even though that may have contributed to the results there’s still a lot of positives to take from this game from Roma. Roma did not manage to get another goal but they dominated the entire match. Lazio was expected to be the scary team that was going to challenge Juventus for the scudetto. That’s what all the media outlets were saying. Roma exposed them for who they are Lazio is still a great team but Roma highlighted that this is not a title-contending team. In this game, Lazio had won of their previous 11 matches and had all the momentum in confidence. A victory for Lazio would have taken them to second place as Inter Milan drop points again. Immobile Luis Aberto, Milinkovic-Savic didn’t look spectacular in fact the entire Lazio team looked average. What it came down to is a tactical mismatch. Paulo Fonseca showed to be a better manager even despite the mistakes this Roma team jamming the ball down Lazio’s throat. Roma is building something really special and you can see it with the way they handled this game they made drastic improvements from the first meeting while Lazio stays the same. Edin Dzeko is my man of the match today as he continues to near 100 goals. Even though Thomas strakosha made a massive error Edin Dzeko put himself in a position to make that play and can close on several opportunities. Cengiz was unreal making his impact on the match Roma dominated Lazio but even with that said the headlines will still talk about the goalkeeping errors from both sides. Roma ended Lazio’s running form which gives them confidence despite only getting a point they dominate their City rivals believe will be struck back into this Roma team even with the circumstances
MAN OF THE MATCH: Edin Dzeko
Everything Roma 