Lazio 0-1 Roma: Wasteful Aquile in Crisis after Derby Defeat | OneFootball

While we’re only four rounds into the season, Lazio are already in crisis mode after suffering a defeat to Roma.

Lazio & Roma Starting Lineups

Maurizio Sarri’s selections featured some surprises, including Boulaye Dia who was chosen to the lead the line instead of Taty Castellanos, joined by Pedro and Mattia Zaccagni in attack. Nicolo Rovella and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru passed athletic tests to get the nod in midfield alongside Matteo Guendouzi.

On the other hand, Gian Piero Gasperini fielded Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder alongside Matias Soulé, with Evan Ferguson spearheading Roma’s 3-4-2-1 lineup. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné operated in the double pivot, with Devyne Rensch and Angelino on the flanks.

Lazio Squander First-Half Chances

The Aquile had the upper hand for the bulk of the first half. Their first real chance came through Pedro who found enough space on the edge of the box, but his shot went high off the crossbar. Afterwards, Nuno Tavares played a give-and-go with Reda Belahyane (who came in for the injured Dele-Bashiru after 11 minutes), but couldn’t hit the target either.

Lazio’s first attempt on goal was through Zaccagni, whose curled shot was heading towards the far corner, but Mile Svilar produced a stellar save. The ensuing corner kick saw Alessio Romagnoli’s header go just over the woodwork, while Rovella’s dangerous run towards the box culminated with a square ball that went begging.

Roma Take a Stunning Lead

While Lazio seemed to be in control, an ill-advised dribbling attempt from Tavares inside his own box saw him dispossessed by Rensch, while Soulé was there to set up Pellegrini, who broke the deadlock with a clinical low drive that left Ivan Provedel with no chance. The Giallorossi’s opener shifted the momentum in their favor, but they couldn’t double their lead before half-time.

Boulaye Dia Wastes Sitter

After the break, Roma continued to push for a second goal, but it was Lazio who had a golden chance to score through a counterattack launched by Zaccagni. The captain freed Dia with a sublime through ball. The Senegalese managed to keep the Giallorossi defenders in his dust, but when he found himself one-on-one with Svilar, he sent his shot wayward.

Reda Belahyane Sees Red

Castellanos eventually came in for Dia, and showed more determination and tenacity, but his curler drifted just wide of the post. In the final minutes, Belahyane committed a rash foul on Koné, kicking the Roma midfielder twice in the Achilles tendon, which earned him a straight card.

Lazio Fall Short in the Derby

Afterwards, the writing was on the wall for Lazio, even though Danilo Cataldi almost scored a screamer that was harshly denied by the post. In the end, the Aquile not only lost the Derby della Capitale, but also suffered their third defeat in four Serie A fixtures, making it one of their worst ever starts to the season.

Lazio 0-1 Roma

Scorer: 38′ Pellegrini (R)

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares (Pellegrini 45′); Guendouzi, Rovella (Cataldi 45′), Dele-Bashiru (Belahyane 14′); Pedro (Noslin 79′), Dia (Castellanos 62′), Zaccagni.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Rensch, Kone, Cristante (80′ El Aynaoui), Angelino (80′ Tsimikas); Pellegrini (73′ Pisilli), Soulé (73′ Baldanzi); Ferguson (65′ Dovbyk).

Referee: Simone Sozza; Assistants: Baccini, Vecchi – Fourth official: Ayroldi; VAR: Di Paolo; VAR: Massa

Yellow cards: 83′ Ndicka (R), 88′ Cataldi (L)

Red card : 85′ Belahyane (L)