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The Derby della Capitale ended in a stalemate, as Lazio had the better of the first half and Roma missed some great chances in the second.
All the elements were in place for an explosive showdown as second-placed Roma took on third-placed Lazio with revenge in mind following their 3-0 defeat in December. Both sides have lost momentum of late with the Giallorossi finally conceding the Scudetto to Inter with defeat at Atalanta and the Biancocelesti picking up just two points from three games.
Francesco Totti was a major injury doubt, but recovered from a back problem to start, though Marco Cassetti and Matteo Ferrari were suspended. Stefano Mauri and Guglielmo Stendardo were absent for the Aquile.
Totti made history as the Roma player with the most derby appearances, his 23rd. This match was brought forward to an afternoon kick-off due to concerns over crowd trouble and there were scuffles outside the Stadio Olimpico.
Tommaso Rocchi couldn't quite get control of the ball in front of Alexander Doni and at the other end a touched-on free kick for Simone Perrotta went over. The Biancocelesti were more aggressive and David Pizarro gave the ball away foolishly, but Luciano Zauri's shot was charged down.
Totti turned a free header over the bar and Angelo Peruzzi came rushing out to close down Simone Perrotta's run.
Rocchi was Lazio's liveliest player and he skipped past three defenders, but there was no support for the former Empoli striker. He also sprung the offside trap and forced Doni to sprint forward and smother.
Amantino Mancini was a little selfish when he went for the spectacular overhead kick, taking Christian Panucci's cross off the foot of Perrotta in a much better position.
Philippe Mexes was just returning from a ban and was booked for dissent, as he smashed his fists into the turf in anger at the free kick awarded against him. From that same position, Cristian Ledesma's rocket was so close to the post that some sections of the Lazio faithful thought it had gone in.
On 36 minutes Perrotta's glancing header from a Panucci cross skimmed the near post with Peruzzi immobile.
Roma had the best chance of the game so far in the last minute of the first half. Peruzzi did well to flap the ball off Mancini's foot, but the move continued and Rodrigo Taddei somehow turned a diving free header wide of the near post from six yards!
After the break Mexes charged down a Jimenez strike, Mutarelli's scissor-kick from eight yards was well saved and at the other end a Daniele De Rossi screamer bounced just in front of Peruzzi.
Luciano Spalletti lost Max Tonetto to injury and introduced Christian Wilhelmsson, pushing Taddei back to a full-back position. Roma were much more attacking in the second half with Mancini and Totti attempts charged down.
Totti was not 100 per cent fit and came off for Mirko Vucinic on 73 minutes.
Mancini had a fantastic chance to give Roma the lead on 77 minutes, but Peruzzi belied his age with an acrobatic reaction save.
In the final minute Roma went even closer, as Vucinic flicked the ball over the defence for De Rossi's volley well parried by Peruzzi. The linesman had his flag up, but the midfielder was not offside.
Deep into six minutes of stoppages Vucinic released a powerful strike that Peruzzi palmed away as best he could. De Rossi curled a free kick straight into the goalkeeper's hands in the final kick of the game.
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