|
Valon Behrami's stoppage-time strike gave Lazio a 3-2 victory in the Derby della Capitale that leaves Roma seven points off the top of the table.
The Giallorossi needed a victory to keep up the pressure on Inter after a splendid 2-1 win over Milan, while Delio Rossi's men were struggling to maintain mid-table mediocrity, so winning the Stracittadina would mean the world to them. Luciano Zauri, Massimo Mutarelli, Simone Del Nero, Fabio Firmani and Mobido Diakhite' were sidelined.
The Derby della Capitale was an emotionally charged affair, especially as it was Father's Day in Italy. To encourage fair play between fans, the father of Gabriele Sandri (the Lazio fan accidentally killed by a stray police bullet in November) and the son of Vincenzo Paparelli (the Biancocelesti supporter who died during the 1979 derby when hit by a firework) stood in the Curva Sud populated by Roma Ultras.
Lazio had the first chance after seven minutes. Alexander Doni was taken by surprise on a looping Aleksander Kolarov free kick, but got back to fingertip it on to the crossbar. As the move continued Rolando Bianchi turned off target.
Mirko Vucinic drilled wide of the near post and Simone Perrotta nodded a Marco Cassetti cross off target.
It was Roma who took the lead in bizarre circumstances, as scorer Rodrigo Taddei didn't know much about it. Valon Behrami's clearance was hit straight at Taddei's chest and face, ricocheting into the net!
Goran Pandev drew Lazio level on the stroke of half-time. Kolarov got to the byeline and Doni palmed his cross into the path of Pandev for a simple finish from seven yards.
After the restart Perrotta flashed a shot on the bounce across the face of goal and Totti had a strike disallowed for offside.
On 54 minutes Kolarov's splendid free kick curled on to the base of the near post.
The referee pointed to the spot moments later for Juan's challenge on Bianchi, as there appeared to be some shirt-tugging. Tommaso Rocchi stepped up and converted to give Lazio the lead, although Doni very nearly got to it.
Roma fought back almost immediately, as a long ball over the top was controlled by Vucinic with his back to goal for the on-rushing Perrotta to blast in at the near post.
The Giallorossi were now pouring forward in a thoroughly entertaining derby as Juan's header was off target and Cassetti just failed to get the touch to a Vucinic cross.
It was a very open game as Massimo Mutarelli's shot was charged down and on the counter in the same move Totti tried to dribble past several players and was eventually stopped on the edge of the box.
Pandev went on a spectacular slalom until Cicinho cut off his path, while the Brazilian defender threatened at the other end with a long-range attempt.
Deep into stoppages Roma failed to deal with a Pandev chipped cross and the ball fell to Behrami to smash under the bar from eight yards.
| 
