Italian Serie A News, Results, Analysis and Features on Football Soccer

John O'Donnell On April - 10 - 2013

Matchday Recap: Charged Derby della Capitale

Roma and Lazio played out a 1-1 draw in the Derby della Capitale with goals from Hernanes and Francesco Totti ensuring the city rivals had to settle for a share of the spoils. In an eventful game Lazio also had Guiseppe Biava sent off while there were two penalties, one for each side with Totti scoring for Roma and Hernanes missing for Lazio.

The big news for Lazio was that striker Miroslav Klose would be starting for the first time since his lengthy injury lay off meanwhile Roma started with the pairing of Erik Lamela and Totti up front.

The match began at a good pace and Roma’s strike partnership linked up to create a chance within the first minute as Totti stood up a cross to the back post which Lamela attacked but he couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Federico Marchetti in the Lazio goal.

Antonio Candreva then tested Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with a stinging shot which the Dutch keeper done well to parry away but Lazio did take the lead after 15 minutes with a stunning strike from Brazilian playmaker Hernanes. It all came from a Roma corner as they tried to play it short but it was cut out by Senad Lulic who then ran with the ball into Roma’s half and clipped a pass inside to Hernanes who feigned to shoot with his right foot before cutting inside onto his left and unleashing a great strike from 25 yards which arrowed into the top corner giving Stekelenburg no chance.

After this Lazio enjoyed the majority of possession for the rest of the first half and looked by far the more dangerous side and could have increased their lead had it not been for Stekelenburg making a great save from Lulic.

Into the second half and it was more of the same with Lazio continuing to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and they were given the chance to extend their lead just a few minutes after the restart when Marquinhos clearly handled a cross into the box. Hernanes stepped up looking for his and Lazio’s second of the night but sent the ball wide of the post.

That miss boosted Roma’s fans and shortly after their team had a penalty as well as the man who missed Lazio’s spot kick Hernanes tripped Miralem Pjanic inside the box and Totti slotted the penalty into the corner to bring his side level.

After equalising Roma came more into the game enjoying more possession and creating more chances with Lamela, Totti and Alessandro Florenzi all having efforts on goal. Then the game took another turn with 20 minutes remaining as Giuseppe Biava was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Despite having an extra man and enjoying more possession Roma just couldn’t force a way through and Lazio held on to take a point and move up to 5th place ahead of Inter.

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