Sarri: Lazio didn’t deserve to lose vs. Roma | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri feels his Lazio side didn’t deserve to lose against Roma in the derby della Capitale: ‘We lost the game because of a bad error.’

Lazio coach Sarri believes his team didn’t deserve to lose a derby against Roma on Sunday.

“We had four or five clear chances, we could have taken the lead in the first half,” the Tuscan told DAZN.

Sarri: Lazio didn’t deserve to lose Rome derby

SASSUOLO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SS Lazio at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Lorenzo Pellegrini scored the winning goal after Lazio defender Nuno Tavares lost the possession on the edge of the box.

“We lost the game because of a bad error. We’ll see if it’s a technical mistake or he was superficial. We played a good game, but we lost it this way. We are sorry for our fans. They supported us. I’m sorry for the team too, they didn’t deserve to lose,” Sarri said.

The Italian tactician had made some surprising line-up decisions, including starting Boulaye Dia instead of Valentin Castellanos.

Nicolò Rovella was picked in central midfield despite not being fully fit and the Italian got injured in the first half.

Sarri explains why he picked Dia

EMPOLI, ITALY – MAY 04: Boulaye Dia of SS Lazio scores a opening goal during the Serie match between Empoli and Lazio at Stadio Carlo Castellani on May 04, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“Dia had trained well during the week and it was fair to give him a chance. The team created some chances today even if we struggled after conceding,” Sarri explained.

“Rovella got injured in the first half, but using the second slot in the first half was too much so I asked him to play until the break despite suffering.

“I think we deserved to draw. We had a skid after their goal, but until that moment, we hadn’t conceded much and had a couple of chances. Until minute 38, I didn’t see signals we could lose this match.”

Lazio have three defeats and one win in the opening four games of the season. This is the second derby della Capitale lost by Sarri, so what sort of reaction does he expect from his players?

“I expect the same anger and sadness, but the other time it was a 3-0 loss after 20 minutes, this is a different story,” he concluded.

Lazio’s next Serie A match is away at Genoa on Monday, September 29, while Roma will play at home against Verona next Sunday.

The Giallorossi have collected nine points in the opening four Serie A matches.