Lazzari leads Lazio towards a derby thrashing on Roma

Two assists and two goals from Manuel Lazzari and Luis Alberto  made the 153^rd Derby della Capitale, a very special one for Lazio.

While an inferior work ethic and disappointing defence made it a miserable one for Roma. The Biancocelesti thrashed their rivals, winning 3-0.

Goals from Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto meant job done and a third consecutive victory for them. The winners’ performance can be summarised in their manager Simone Inzaghi’s words ahead of the derby:

“We all know what the derby represents here in Rome. Both teams take risks. I saw in the eyes of the players, that they are aware of what’s at stake in this unusual derby, one without fans. But they will be there in their heart, the same hearts that we should leave out there on the pitch.’’

And they surely did.

The first moments of a dramatic first half resembled a calm before a storm, only one that would come quite early on. Nothing surprising nevertheless, as Lazio have scored in every one of their last 13 games while Roma managed 18 goals in their last seven.

One team though, has been let down by their defense more than the other. The Giallorossi have the second-worst back line of the top half of the Serie A table conceding 29 goals now, despite sitting at third with 34 points.

Lazzari was one of the stars of the evening, the goals might have come from other feet, but the wing back’s flawless contribution put his side on the winning path early on. As he provided both goals to Immobile and Alberto within a nine-minute difference.

Most headlines will likely go the latter’s way, however, Lazzari has to go as the unsung hero of a historical encounter.

The first one came at the 14^th minute as he aggressively pressed defender Roger Ibanez, whose day was not about to get better. The Italian recovered the ball in the opponent’s box cutting it back to Immobile as the Eagles’ talisman opened the scoring. Making him the league joint second top scorer with 12 goals in 16 games.

The spotlight was on two of the same protagonists less than ten minutes later. A resilient Lazzari was played in behind left wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola, battling with determination once again with a clumsy Ibanez, fell and got up once more, holding the ball until there was sight of Alberto, teed up the Spaniard who buried it in the bottom right corner.

It was another instance of the midfielder’s season rebirth, the 28-year-old had scored his first league goal on the 24^th of October, it took him almost two months to find his second. He never looked back from there, as he now has scored five of his six league goals in his last six appearances.

Underwhelming would be the polite way to describe the nominative visitors’ first half and frankly, the whole 90 as they opened up, gave space and freedom to their rivals in their most clinical areas.

Not to take anything away from Inzaghi’s men as they showed more passion, desire, their perseverance was clearly superior. They might not have had the biggest chunk of possession, but have retrieved the ball, tackled, intercepted and cleared on more occasions than their noisy neighbors.

As the half drew closer to the end, Roma showed some positive signs, the scoreboard remained unchanged as both sets of men headed to the dressing rooms.

There might have been a change of attitude from La Lupa, but the men in blue seemed closer to scoring. The second half’s first interesting event was a challenge in the box between no other than Lazzari and Ibanez, the 27-year-old, once again physically mightier and closer to putting Immobile on, only for him to lose balance.

It only motivated his teammates more as Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez got quite busy quite quickly. The 26-year-old had to make three important saves by the hour mark.

Just a few minutes later, after multiple knocks on the door, Lazio found the third. Lazzari starting it and Alberto finishing.

The former received the ball at the halfway line dribbled his way inside the final third, created space for Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro on the right side, playing him in. The Ivorian was then able to set up Alberto at the edge of the box.

Despite the technical skill of the number 10, he was found with space in front of him with not one Roma player challenging him, he went on to graciously curl the ball sending it behind Lopez for his second of the night at the 67^th minute.

Roma remained with no effective reaction to their humiliation, as the Lazio bench was heard and seen chanting as the final whistle approached, waiting eagerly to run and celebrate on the pitch almost as if a final victory.

One that they thoroughly deserved as they ran more, worked harder, smarter and more evidently scored more.

Lazio’s position now at seventh remains unstable but that is due to the slow start they have had, Inzaghi will be hopeful and confident after the win that it is only a matter of time until his side begin their ascension towards the Italian summit.

 

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