In what was the latest fiery showdown between two of Europe’s most fiercest foes, Roma secured local bragging rights as they clinched a 2-0 victory against arch-rivals Lazio at their shared home of the Stadio Olimpico.
Skyrocketing their way into the Champions League spots and extending on their sensational domestic romp, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side took the lead late in the first-half as Italian defender Gianluca Mancini powered his head home from in the six-yard box.
Likewise, proving to be Roma’s hero this weekend and writing himself into Giallorossi folklore, the 30-year-old produced a carbon copy of his opening strike as the one-time Atalanta star clinched an almost identical header to double Roma’s lead just after the hour mark.
In an epic derby battle that is known for its fiery affairs, tempers quickly flared in the 70th-minute as both Roma’s Wesley Franca and Lazio starlet Nicolo Rovella were shown their own respective straight red cards following an altercation.
Now winning all of their previous four consecutive Serie A appearances, Roma are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a lucrative top-four finish ahead of their season finale next weekend.
In what was another epic derby showdown from the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday lunchtime, we have taken a look at the main talking points.
Roma’s sensatonal flurry
Watching their Europa League adventure come to a heartbreaking end at the hands of domestic rivals Bologna back on March 19th as they eventually fell to a thrilling 5-4 aggregate defeat, Roma found themselves at the heart of a public crisis prior to March’s international break.
However, while it might have been suggested that Gasperini had some serious scrutiny over his position, the Giallorossi have come roaring back in a sensational fashion.
Leading the chase to secure a lucrative Champions League return ahead of the season finale against Verona next weekend, Roma are riding what has become a major wave of momentum and the mood in their camp remains at a red-hot high.
More than deserving of bragging rights against their arch-rivals here and extending on their sensational Serie A purple patch, the Wolves have now won all of their previous four consecutive top-flight showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-2.
Likewise, getting May underway with a 4-0 romp against Fiorentina, Gasperini’s high-flying squad have also registered 16 points from their last six domestic appearances.
End of the road for Sarri?
Already accepting that they will once again be unable to book any kind of European adventure for next season, the pressure of Maurizio Sarri’s shoulders has now reached a boiling point.
With the Lazio fanbase making their frustrations abundantly clear this year, it is now widely expected that the one-time Chelsea boss will be removed from his position in the Stadio Olimpico dugout this summer.
Suffering Coppa Italia heartbreak at the hands of newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan earlier in the week as they slumped to another 2-0 loss in Rome, Sarri’s struggling squad have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny.
Drastically failing to find any kind of stability, Lazio put in yet another downbeat performance here and they have extended on a nightmare record against their arch-rivals.
Including a deserved 2-0 loss on Sunday lunchtime, the Biancocelesti have remarkably claimed just one-point from any of their previous five consecutive Serie A showdowns against Roma.
Malen’s remarkable run in Rome
Failing to hold down any kind of regular spot with Europa League finalists Aston Villa after arriving in the Midlands last year, it always appeared destined that Donyell Malen was set for a move away during the January transfer window.
Eventually arriving at the Stadio Olimpico on an initial loan switch, the Dutch international was desperately searching for some kind of career resurge after only registering seven Premier League goals during this stay at Villa Park.
While the ex-Borussia Dortmund attacker might have drawn a blank on Sunday lunchtime, Malen has embarked on an astonishing run of form since arriving in Serie A and it is no surprise that the 27-year-old will make his move to Rome a permanent one this summer.
Spearheading Roma’s purple patch and rightfully receiving a string of plaudits from across the continent, Malen has astonishingly bagged 15 direct goal contributions in his 17 Serie A appearances since arriving in January (13 goals, two assists).
With Roma officially set to activate their €25million buy clause and already reaching personal terms with their leading marksman, Malen is also set to feature for Holland at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
Match Report
Roma: Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso, Celik, Cristante, El Aynoui, Franca, Dybala, Pisilli, Malen
Subs: Rensch, Dovbyk, Soule, Ziolkowski, El Shaarawy
Lazio: Furlanetto, Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares, Basic, Rovella, Taylor, Cancellieri, Noslin, Dia
Subs: Lazzari, Maldini, Isaksen, Pedro, Dele-Bashiru
Goals: Mancini (39’, 65’)
Yellow Cards: Roma: Hermoso, El Shaarawy – Lazio: Tavares, Taylor, Cancellieri
Red Cards: Roma: Franca (69’) – Lazio: Rovella (69’)
Referee: Fabio Maresca