As you would probably expect in this hotly-contested Derby della Capitale, the opening stages were tetchy, with a snap-shot from Tammy Abraham about the only notable goalmouth action in the opening stages.
With home advantage essentially null and void given both teams use the Stadio Olimpico as their home ground, Lazio perhaps sensed a chance to avenge their UEFA Europa League elimination from midweek.
Lazio made the perfect start to doing so too, as they took the lead in fortuitous circumstances. Roger Ibanez was caught in possession in his own box by Pedro, and Felipe Anderson was on hand to pick up the pieces and slot home to break the deadlock.
Roma’s response was almost instant, with Nicolo Zaniolo rattling the crossbar, but as they went in at the break trailing, it seemed the ‘hosts’ would need a Jose Mourinho tactical masterclass similar to the one he delivered against Ludogorets in midweek.
Roma may feel a little bit hard done by that they didn’t play out the last half-hour against 10 men, as Danilo Cataldi surprisingly got away scot-free with a boot that was planted on the head of Abraham.
Victory could’ve been more handsome for Lazio, but Anderson was denied a second of the afternoon by a flying Rui Patricio save.
Despite two strikes in the dying moments in last week’s victory against Hellas Verona, there was no late drama for Roma today, who slumped to just a third defeat in 25 Serie A outings as hosts against Lazio.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
