A chamomile first half and a second half with three sent off and five yellow cards.
They are the two faces of the Italian Cup derby which propels Lazio into the semi-finals thanks to the penalty converted by Zaccagni in the 6th minute of the second half.
A 1-0 long celebrated by the Biancocelesti players under the Curva Nord, after an electric finish, like a dirty and nasty derby, while for 80 minutes fairness reigned supreme. Roma mourns its late awakening. Only a long time after going under did she show some flashes of the determination that would have been needed much earlier. But now it was late. Meanwhile, an important objective of the season has vanished, and the backlash risks being strong.
The flu deprived Sarri of Provedel and the Greek Christos Mandas, 22 years old, was in goal, making his debut in the most difficult match. In Roma’s defense there is the Dutch Huijsen, 18, freshly arrived on loan from Juventus from the start. It’s a derby for brave young people. Lazio was the first to break the deadlock with Zaccagni’s run down the left. On the low cross, Huijsen does well to anticipate Castellanos. Cataldi knocks Dybala out on a dangerously central block, but the Argentine’s free-kick is harmless. Very tight teams, gathered in about thirty metres, and a very tactical match. Also quite foul, but not bad. After 30′ what was missing were scoring opportunities. The balance is very subtle. A flick would be enough to break it. With markings blocked like this it doesn’t happen, inevitable at first with the handbrake on. The 0-0 follows the pattern of the fearful championship derby, but if it could have satisfied everyone then, today it is not enough.
Upon his return, Lorenzo Pellegrini takes the place of a sore Dybala in Roma, with the Biancocelesti’s 11 unchanged. More happens in a few minutes than in the entire first 45 minutes. And thanks to Lazio. Vecino, heading Felipe Anderson’s cross, engages Rui Patricio in a miraculous half. It is the prologue to the penalty, decided by Orsato after a warning to the VAR, for a kick by Huijsen on Castellanos. From the spot Zaccagni wrong-foots the goalkeeper and in the 6th minute Lazio puts their head forward. But he isn’t satisfied and immediately creates two chances to make it 2-0: first Rui Patricio has to oppose Vecino again, then it’s always the Uruguayan who doesn’t find the goal from a good position. Mourinho sees his team faltering and removes Karsdorp and Zalewski to insert Azmoun and Spinazzola. Now it’s a real game, without saving and Orsato has to wave several yellows. Sarri also wants fresh forces: Zaccagni, Cataldi and Lazzari out; inside Luca Pellegrini, Pedro and Rovella. Now it is the Giallorossi who hold the initiative more, looking for the corridor in which to launch Lukaku, while Lazio creates a wall in front of their area and relies on the counterattack. Mourinho also brings in El Shaarawy, for Bove who when he comes out is hit in the neck by a bottle, kneels down for a moment and then gets up. Sarri recalls Castellanos, making room for Isaksen. Roma plays for their last attacker and Belotti comes in for Huijsen. However, it is Lazio, with a nice rugby-style restart, who comes closest to scoring, but Pedro wastes everything by shooting centrally. A few minutes into the 90th minute the equalizing opportunity comes from Belotti’s left foot. Mandas blocks a little awkwardly, then makes amends by preceding an opponent into the corner. There is room for a high overhead kick from Lukaku, the only sharp one from the Belgian. In the tense final, Pedro lost his nerves and was sent off after a brawl with Paredes, then Azmoun was also shown a red card and, once the match was over, Mancini’s.
For further information ANSA Agency Raid by Lazio ultras in a pub in Rome, one stabbed – News – Ansa.it Raid by a group of Lazio fans in a pub usually frequented by Giallorossi supporters after yesterday’s match at the Olimpico. (HANDLE)
For further information ANSA Agency Raid by Lazio ultras in a pub in Rome, one stabbed – News – Ansa.it Raid by a group of Lazio fans in a pub usually frequented by Giallorossi supporters after yesterday’s match at the Olimpico. (HANDLE)
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