Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan impressed as AS Roma defeated Lazio in the final Derby della Capitale of the 2020/21 Serie A season on Saturday.

After a tense start to the contest, Lazio slowly grew into the game and had a few chances coming their way, with Luis Alberto twice being denied by Rick Karsdorp and Daniel Fuzato, while Vedat Muriqi had a goal chalked off for offside. The deadlock, though, was broken by AS Roma in the 42nd minute, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan found the back of the net after some fine work from Edin Dzeko to set him up.

Roma started the second half positively, with Bryan Cristante and Dzeko coming close while at the other end, Ciro Immobile had a couple of half-chances but was not able to beat Fuzato in goal. And Lazio would go on to rue the missed opportunities as Pedro made it 2-0 in favour of the Giallorossi firing home from distance after a mazy run.

Roma could have added more to the scoreline late on while Lazio hardly mustered up a fightback and were even reduced to ten men, with Francesco Acerbi getting sent off for a second bookable offence late on. It was a sweet win for Paulo Fonseca’s side in what was his final home game in charge of the team while Lazio will be disappointed with their performance despite the bright start.

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Here are our player ratings for both sets of players from the Derby della Capitale at Stadio Olimpico.

AS Roma

Daniel Fuzato: 7/10

Getting another opportunity in the absence of Pau Lopez, the 23-year-old made the most of it. Fine save to deny Alberto in the first half and did well to block Immobile on a couple of occasions after the break.

Rick Karsdorp: 7/10

Alert to threat at the back, Karsdorp produced a solid defensive display on Saturday night. Huge block to deny Alberto a certain goal in the first half and made a couple of clearances as well.

Gianluca Mancini: 7/10

Going up against the physical Muriqi, the Italian centre-half stuck to his man throughout, not giving him an inch in the final third. Made four clearances and a couple of interceptions while misplacing just six of his 50 attempted passes.

Roger Ibanez: 5.5/10

Getting the nod ahead of Marash Kumbulla, the Brazilian looked a bit shaky at the back and was guilty of letting Alberto free for his chance in the first half. Hooked off before half-time with an injury.

Bruno Peres: 6/10

Starting at left-back, the 31-year-old created a chance for Dzeko in the first half and was dealing fairly well with the dangerous Manuel Lazzari. A 16th-minute booking, though, meant he was taken off at half-time to avoid the risk of a sending off.

Bryan Cristante: 7/10

The Italian international had a positive outing as he made contributions off the ball with his work-rate and on it by creating a few chances for the forwards. Played two key passes and got the assist for the second goal while also coming close to scoring late on. Also made two interceptions.

Ebrima Darboe: 7/10

Played with such maturity that one would be surprised to learn that he was just 19 and was playing his first derby. Stopped attacks in their tracks on many occasions in the middle and was progressive with his usage of the ball. Made two dribbles, three tackles and misplaced just two of his 45 attempted passes.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7/10

Not at his best but stepped up when called upon, showing good instincts to get into a dangerous position and find the back of the net to make it 1-0. In general, he combined well with those around him and finished with two key passes and a dribble.

Lorenzo Pellegrini: 6/10

Tremendous energy and work-rate, which allowed Roma to stay on the front-foot especially in the second half. However, Pellegrini lacked the end product in the final third, with his passing a bit awry (19/27 attempts), which eats into his rating.

Stephan El Shaarawy: 6/10

Making his first start in over a month or so, the Italian international played a hand in the opening goal, setting Dzeko on his way. Made a dribble and a key pass but did not test the goalkeeper and made way for Pedro after the break.

Edin Dzeko: 7/10

May not have scored a goal but the veteran forward was impressive with his all-round play on the night. The way he got past Acerbi before cutting the ball back for Mkhitaryan to score was brilliant. Had fired a chance narrowly wide prior to that and came close to scoring again later on. Won seven of the ten aerial duels he contested, made a couple of dribbles and a key pass. A nuisance for the Lazio defence in what could very well have been his last game at Stadio Olimpico.

SUBSTITUTES

Marash Kumbulla: 6.5/10

On for Ibanez in the first half and played a role in ensuring that Lazio hardly threatened the Roma goal for the rest of the game.

Davide Santon: 6/10

Half-time substitute for Peres. Booked soon after but kept his discipline and did not Lazio create any chances from his side.

Pedro: 7/10

On for El Shaarawy in the 72nd minute. Won it for Roma with a brilliant strike within minutes after coming on. Completed all of his passes and made two dribbles as well.

Gonzalo Villar: 6/10

Came on for Pellegrini in the 73rd minite. Slotted in a much advanced position than usual and created a couple of chances.

Borja Mayoral: N/A

Late substitute for Dzeko.

Lazio

Pepe Reina: 5.5/10

Not at fault for either of the goals that Lazio conceded but perhaps could have done to try and stop them. Distributed well from the back, misplacing just two of his 33 passes.

Adam Marusic: 6/10

Getting the nod as the right-sided centre-back again, the 28-year-old did what was asked of him, as he made a couple of vital interceptions along with three clearances while passing the ball accurately into the advanced players.

Francesco Acerbi: 4/10

A game to forget for the veteran defender. Got beaten by Dzeko in the lead-up to the opening goal for AS Roma and had his hands full with the Bosnian centre-forward. Sent off late in the game for a second yellow card.

Stefan Radu: 5.5/10

The 34-year-old almost cost his team in the first half with a risky backpass but was saved his blushes as Roma failed to capitalise. Made a couple of clearances but never really looked at ease against the likes of Dzeko and Mkhitaryan.

Manuel Lazzari: 6/10

Got forward with intent, especially in the first half and created a chance for Alberto while delivering another dangerous cross. A little subdued after the break with Roma on the front-foot. Still managed two key passes on the night.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: 5.5/10

Rushed back into action after having undergone a surgery for a nose injury, the Serb was a positive influence in the first half as he played some neat passes forward and also created a chance for Alberto that was saved. Levels dropped off completely after the break though, while it was him who lost the ball leading to Pedro’s second-half strike.

Lucas Leiva: 5.5/10

Tried hard to contain the Roma players but showed signs of age catching up with him as he was a bit slow on the pitch. Did manage a couple of interceptions and won a few headers but ultimately could not make a difference.

Luis Alberto: 6.5/10

Looked the most likely player to make things happen for Lazio on the night as he pushed forward with intent and tried to fashion openings for his teammates. Played a game-high three key passes and also had to goal-bound efforts stopped in the first period. Influence waned as the game wore on, however.

Senad Lulic: 5.5/10

In what was his last Derby della Capitale, the 35-year-old failed to make any sort of meaningful impact on the proceedings. Hardly offered any attacking threat on the left but did what was asked of him at the back before being taken off in the second half.

Ciro Immobile: 5/10

An ineffective outing from Lazio’s all-time leading goalscorer, who was also the Player to Watch in our match preview. Deprived of meaningful service for most of the game and when he did get on the ball, he was well-marshaled by the Roma defence. Had just one shot on target which was dealt well by Fuzato, who also forced him wide on another occasion.

Vedat Muriqi: 5/10

Getting the nod ahead of Joaquin Correa, the Kosovan striker put the ball into the back of the net in the first half only to see it chalked off for offside. That was as good as it got for Muriqi on the night as he found it hard to get past Gianluca Mancini.

SUBSTITUTES

Andreas Pereira: 5/10

Replaced Muriqi at the hour mark. Full of running and energy, little in terms of quality end product.

Luiz Felipe: 6/10

Came on in place of Lulic at the hour mark. Made three clearances and was solid on the ball.

Mohamed Fares: 5/10

On for Marusic in the 73rd minute. Had a shot that was well off target.

Felipe Caicedo: 5/10

Came on for Radu in the 73rd minute as Lazio pushed for the equalising goal. Managed just four touches.

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro: N/A

Late substitute for Milinkovic-Savic.

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