The Derby della Capitale is also known as Derby Capitolino and Derby del Cupolone, as well as The Rome Derby in English and Derby di Roma in Italian, is the football local derby in Rome between Lazio and Roma. It is considered to be one of the fiercest intra-city derbies in the country, along with the other major local derbies, Derby della Madonnina (Milan derby) and Derby della Mole (Turin derby), and one of the greatest and hotly contested derbies in Europe.
The 165th Derby della Capitale kicked off in the evening yesterday and for the first time in 55 years, neither of the teams’ starting lineup featured a Roman-born player.
Despite the lack of local flavour on the pitch, the 30,000 fans in the stands made sure everyone at home knew what they were missing – an absolute mouthwatering and nail-biting encounter.
From the impressive tifo displays at kickoff to the contrasting reds and blues of the kits to the superstar managers prowling the sidelines, the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was electric.
With both sides easing their way into the match, the opening 10 minutes or so was rather dull, but the early returns weren't great for Roma. Lazio created the game's first few chances, probing the Roma backline with well-placed long balls into the likes of Pedro, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Ciro Immobile, each of whom found effective space in Roma's final third in the first 10 to 12 minutes this afternoon.
While Roma did well to contain the Lazio threat early on, they were soon exposed by the home club, who found some gaping seems in the Roma backline to draw first blood in the derby.
Milinkovic-Savic headed in the opener before Pedro scored against his former club to double Lazio's lead and become the third player to score for both teams in the capital derby, after netting for Roma in this fixture in May.
Nicolo Zaniolo struck the post before Roger Ibanez pulled one back for Mourinho's side, but Felipe Anderson restored a two-goal advantage for Lazio in the second half by finishing off a clinical counter-attack.
Jordan Veretout converted a controversial penalty to keep alive Roma's hopes but veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina produced two excellent saves to deny the Giallorossi an equalizer.
Across a typically feisty encounter, referee Marco Guida dished out six bookings - but speaking afterwards, Mourinho stated that he felt the match was undone by his grip on the whistle.
“Unfortunately, a fantastic game was ruined by the referee and VAR, who were not at the right level for this match," the veteran manager told DAZN in his comments at full-time.
“The second goal could’ve been 1-1, it went to 2-0. The [lack of a] second yellow for Lucas Leiva was important too. I think my team was the best on the field today.
“We dominated, we gave Lazio huge problems, they controlled the final minutes the way they wanted to, and because the referee allowed them to do so.”
Despite his criticism of the referee, the former Inter boss was quick to highlight the improvement of Serie A since his last tenure in Italy.
“Italian football has improved a great deal from [a decade] ago,” the 58-year-old added.
“The quality of football, the attacking approach, the desire to win, have all improved.”
The loss against Lazio hands Roma their second defeat in their last three league games, which has checked their stride as they attempt to keep pace with the summit.
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 26/09/2021 Lazio of Maurizio Sarri overcome Jose Mourinho’s Roma challenge
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Faisal Caesar
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