In Maurizio Sari’s first Derby della Capitale clash with Lazio, former Atalanta boss, Jean Piero Gasperini led Rome to a narrow victory. The only goal of the game was Lorenzo Peregrini’s job in the 38th minute, but Lazio was sent to two players, Leda Bela Gyane and Matteogendugi, last.
team
Sari was unable to call Matthias Visino, Samuel Giotto, and Manuel Lazari.
Lazio’s coach scored 4-3-3 with Ivan Proveruel in goal. Defensively, they were marshalled to left-hand Nuno Tavares with Adam Marcik on the right-back, Mario Guilla and Alessio Romagnoli as centre-backs. The mid-length trio were Matteo Genduzi, Nicolo Robera and Fisayo dere Basil, but they pushed ahead with Pedro, Booley Dia and Mattia Zaccani.
Meanwhile, Gaspelini was not just midfielder Edoardo Bove and defenders Wesley and Mario Hermoso, as well as key forwards Paulo Dybala and Leon Bailey.
Milesbiller stood between the posts. The three in the back saw Zeki Celik, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N’dicka formed the line. Devyne Rensch and Angelino provided mid-length, consisting of Kouadio Kone and Bryan Cristante. Earlier, Lorenzo Pellegrini supported the offensive partnership between Evan Ferguson and Matthias Saul.
Match Summary
Derby’s Della Capital was firmly contested and tense, and ultimately determined by moments of quality differences. For the majority of the first half, Lazio and Rome investigated both, but found little weaknesses in the opposition defensive organization. Depleted by absence, Rome was compact and cautious, but Lazio tried to control his property and stretch his sides, especially with Zaccani and Pedro.
The game’s decisive moment came in the 38th minute when Rome took advantage of sales. Pass cuts midfield from the sole and finds Pellegrini drifting into the right place. Pellegrini finished sharply, giving Roma a lead and an emotional lift. This is especially important given the recent uncertainty regarding his contract and form.
After the goal, Lazio tried to respond. They advanced in the waves and were looking for openings, but the defensive shape of Rome worked. Svilar made some important saves and the defensive line worked hard to limit clear opportunities.
Lazio increased the pressure in the second half. The alternative tried to break Roman resistance, but it was probably not possible that it would have continued. As Lazio moved more bodies forward, Rome was trying to defend deeper, manage the game, and not be infringed.
Later, tensions rose: Lazio’s Leda Belahyan’s substitute was sent off for a stud-up challenge around 86 minutes, increasing the hosts’ difficulties. Rome showed discipline at the closing stages, maintaining a slim lead despite Lazio’s possession, hoping for a slow equalizer.
The final whistle confirmed Rome’s 1-0 victory, but things got a little worse for Bianco Celesti as Gendoji continued to protest against umpire Simone Sozza and eventually flashed the red card again.
Roman discipline won the mid-war
For all Lazio owners, it was the Roman organization that quietly stole the show. Gasperini delved into his side into a compact block denying oxygen through the mid-sally. Pellegrini and Sulu were pushed against them with intelligence, while Korn and Christante were unforgiving to close the half-space.
Lazio finds himself circulating the ball sideways, but the central channel is sealed. It was a kind of tactical maturity to win the Derby – not appealing, but ruthlessly effective.
Lazio’s left wing ran to the wall.
Sally placed a bet on Zaccani and Nuno Tavares to break Rome, looking promising due to a short flash of light. Zaccagni’s curling efforts were Lazio’s brightest spark, despite Svilar pushing away by the acrobatics. However, many times the Roma fullback predicted a duplication and forced Lazio to a predictable wide play that lacked punch.
The emphasis on Lazio’s left ended with frustration rather than fireworks, as Boulaye Dia got stuck and offered a little more when Castellanos was introduced.
One press, one goal, one derby has been decided
In this finely balanced match, one moment can define everything. Rome didn’t need a wave of attack – they needed just one trigger. Rensch hunted the Tavares high, forcing an overconfident mistake from the former Arenaar man, Soule released Pellegrini, and the captain did the rest.
This was a direct move from Gasperini’s playbook. The target press leads to surgical accuracy during the transition. From that point on, Rome retreated into a deeper shell, absorbing Lazio’s pressure, daring their rivals to destroy them. They never did. Pragmatism won, and Rome left with bragging rights.
Looking ahead
It’s not easy to imagine a team that has been out of the title race for a long time. They’ve returned to put serious challenges on established teams like Naples, Juventus and Inter, but in reality, Roma has won three wins since the start of the season, sitting fourth and losing one Serie. However, Naples can move ahead of Juventus if they defeat Pisa on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Lazio did the exact opposite, winning only once and losing three times. As a result, they are sitting in 14th place with just three points.
Sarri’s team has the chance to bounce back as they travel to face Genoa in the next round, and Roma tries to continue his bright start at home with Verona. But first, Gialorossi begins his Europa League adventure on a trip to France. There they will face Nice on Wednesday.