Roma returns to the center of the village. The derby of the Capital smiles on the Giallorossi who thus dismiss the defeat in Milan and remain in the wake of the leaders Inter and Fiorentina, instead Pioli's Lazio comes out badly, forced to deal with what, numbers in hand, is a real crisis of results and game. The other loser of the Roman derby is certainly the referee Tagliavento, protagonist of serious mistakes that have undoubtedly conditioned the match. Above all the penalty given to Roma (outside the area), but also the lack of expulsions of Gentiletti and Lulic and, in general, a far from convincing management.
“Before whistling such an important penalty you have to think about it – Pioli's bitter comment. – The foul was outside the area, such episodes are crucial. The match was balanced and Roma unlocked it thanks to that penalty”. “It's a matter of millimeters – Garcia replied. – And in any case, regardless of the episode, I really don't think we can question our victory”. Indeed, the Giallorossi legitimized their success with a very convincing performance, decidedly better than that of their rivals.
After the offending penalty (10', coldly converted by Dzeko), Garcia's team continued to grind the game, hitting Lazio with ferocious and well-orchestrated counterattacks. The Biancocelesti should have moved more carefully, instead they got anxious and ended up doing exactly what Roma wanted. Which, in large spaces, can be devastating. On the shields, once again, that Gervinho almost kicked out in the summer and now essential for Garcia's schemes.
The Ivorian had up and down the weather throughout the match, so it was right he was the one who closed it with the splendid counterattack of the final 0-2 (63'). Lazio? Unglued, nervous and unlucky. Because it must also be said that, in the key moments, the blindfolded goddess turned away. In the first half Felipe Anderson (sensational crossbar) and Djordjevic (blocked by Rudiger with a sure shot) could have called everything into question and the same goes for Klose in the second half (high shot into an empty net).
“It's a difficult and delicate moment – thought Pioli. – Unfortunately everything is going wrong but it is useless to feel sorry for yourself: we just have to lower our heads and work hard”. On the other hand, there was great joy at Roma, where in less than a week things were put back in order both in the Champions League and in the league. “We had suffered unfair criticism – Garcia's words. – I'm glad the best answer came, the boys deserved it”.
It will be a very different stop for the teams from the Capital, dealing with diametrically opposite moments and moods. Inevitable after a derby, especially in a city that breathes football like few others in the world.
