- AS Roma secured a 2-0 victory over Lazio in the season’s first Rome derby in Serie A
- Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and Alexis Saelemaekers scored the decisive goals for Roma in the first half
- Lazio’s attempts to salvage a point were thwarted by Roma’s well-organized defence, with clear scoring opportunities being rare
- The match was marred by frequent clashes between players, resulting in a flurry of yellow cards and two red cards in added time
- The win helps Roma climb the standings to 10th place, while Lazio drifts further away from the top three in Serie A
Key Takeaways:
The Rome derby lived up to its intense and passionate reputation as AS Roma triumphed over Lazio with a 2-0 victory in the 19th round of Serie A. Claudio Ranieri’s side delivered a decisive blow within the first 18 minutes of the match, with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini opening the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by Alexis Saelemaekers’ goal just seven minutes later. The early advantage proved to be insurmountable for Lazio, as Roma’s well-organized defense thwarted their attempts to at least salvage a point.
Despite creating a few chances, including one effort that hit the crossbar, Lazio struggled to find clear opportunities to score. The match was characterized by frequent clashes, with tempers flaring and incidents involving pushing, shoving, and even physical altercations. The tension on the pitch was reflected in the number of yellow cards shown, and the situation eventually boiled over in added time, resulting in two red cards. Lazio forward Valentin Castellanos and a member of Roma’s staff were sent off in the heated conclusion, adding to the drama of the derby.
Taty Castellanos received a red card, sparking a massive brawl between Lazio and Roma players in the final minutes of Sunday’s derby della Capitale. pic.twitter.com/XYY2NN6lHn
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) January 5, 2025
The victory marks a significant turning point for Roma, who have now moved up to 10th place in the standings after a three-match unbeaten run in Serie A. They have earned 7 points during this stretch, bringing their total to 23. On the other hand, Lazio’s defeat sees them drift further away from the top three, and they will need to regroup and refocus to get their season back on track. The win also reduces the gap between the two teams to 12 points, and Roma will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push up the table.