Lazio run riot in Rome

Lazio demolished Roma in the 130th Derby della Capitale. Barely had the game started and Lazio were on the attack, with Mauro Zarate attacking fromt eh right flank and winning a much debated corner from which Goran Pandev volleyed in first time. It was a world class finish that left Doni with no chance. Two minutes later Mauro Zarate doubled the advantage by loosing his marker and curling home with a powerful finish from almost 30 yards out. Roma, however, did not loose heart. Pannucci tested Muslera with a strong header from which Muslera produced a great save. They pulled one back on the 9th minute through Mexes from the resulting corner. Roma piled on the pressure between now and half time with Baptista hitting the post from a corner and the De Rossi just catching the header wrong on the follow up.

Half time arrived but provided just as many fireworks as the match itself, as Tare and Spalletti were involved in a row. The second half started in a more composed manner than the first one did but on 56 minutes Pandev could have ended the game after being played through on goal but his precise strike was saved well by Doni. However, Lazio made it 3-1 soon after as Stefan Lichsteiner headed in a cross after Foggia had run the Roma defence ragged with some superb footwork. It only got worse for Roma after this as Pannuci was sent of after an incident with Lichsteiner. This only got even worse as both Matuzalem and Mexes were somewhat harshly sent of after coming into brief off the ball contact with each other. Still, in the face of adversity Roma's lynchpin De Rossi headed some a great ball from David Pizzaro after some non-existing defending from Alexander Kolarov. But Kolarov made up for his mistake soon after by running the length of the pitch and placing a precise shot past Doni. 4-2. It was Lazio's day and for the blue half of Rome, including myself, this will live long in the memory.

A full Serie A report will follow on Monday