Lazio were beaten 2-1 by Roma in a dramatic Derby della Capitale at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Monday evening. Three goals in 12 minutes gave Roma the win, first Juan Iturbe put the Giallorossi ahead on 73 minutes, but that strike was quickly cancelled out by Filip Djordjevic nine minutes later. However, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa restored the lead with just five minutes to play. As a result, Lazio travel to the Stadio San Paolo on the final day of the season knowing that a loss to Napoli will mean they miss out on Champions League football at the expense of the Partenopei. While Roma have secured second place in Serie A.
This was a huge Derby della Capitale, as only one point separated them in the race for second, which is the difference between Champions League group phase qualification and a preliminary round. The Aquile needed one point to be sure of a top three finish ahead of the final trip to Napoli. Lucas Biglia made a remarkable recovery from a knee injury to start in a more attack-minded 4-2-3-1 system, though Stefan Radu missed out. Gervinho and Douglas Maicon were back on the bench, but Miralem Pjanic was left out after struggling with fitness issues. There was no choreography in the Curva Sud, as the Roma ultras only unveiled a banner protesting President James Pallotta. a A real President doesna t insult his people.a
Despite the presence of 1,700 police officers in and around the stadium, two fans were hurt outside the stadium in trouble that flared before kick-off, the ANSA news agency reported. There were also reports of clashes between Lazio supporters and police outside the stadium after the match, with tear gas used.
From the off Lazio looked to press their rivals hard and fashioned a good early chance from Miroslav Klose. The German got on the end of a Lulic cross, but his diving header from six yard flew wide. In a half with little action, Lazio were the aggressors as Roma seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. Antonio Candreva shot over, while Felipe Andersona s cross-shot fell kindly into the hands of Morgan De Sanctis. Meanwhile at the other end Alessandro Florenzi had the Giallorossia s only meaningful effort and that was fired high over the bar.
Roma changed their approach in the second half with a draw no longer seeming to be their aim, and the game opened up. Victor Ibarbo sent a shot wide which seemed as easy as Klose’s chance before Alessandro Florenzi had an effort deflected wide. It was Roma’s turn to dominate the derby and they took the lead in the 73rd minute with Iturbe finishing off an excellent team move. Radja Nainggolan slipped the ball through to Ibarbo, who did not bring the ball under control, but that actually favoured him as it made room for a low cross which Iturbe met six yards out to poke in.
Lazio were forced to respond to chase their Champions League dream and it was not long before they levelled. Felipe Anderson’s cross was headed back across goal intelligently by Klose and Djordjevic just had to make contact with his head to bring the hosts level.
Roma this time did not sit back and settle for the draw the way they had done at the start of the game and a free-kick saw them regain the lead with just five minutes remaining. Yanga-Mbiwa’s flicked header guided the ball into the far corner of Federico Marchetti’s goal to earn the Giallorossi their win and place in the Champions League next season.
With one round of matches remaining, second-placed Roma moved four points clear of their city rivals, who hold a three-point advantage over Napoli, whom they face next weekend. Lazio need at least a draw at Napoli to secure third and qualify for the Champions League play-off round in August, as only the top three qualify in Italy.