Mancini's brace enough for win over rivals Lazio

Since arriving to Roma on a loan in 2019 from Atalanta, a Tuscany born Gianluca Mancini acted like he was born in Rome. The became a true Romanista, a player who is adored by the fans, who always gives 100%, who is open to start a fight if needed and a player who can score an important goal even though he is a central back. He showed all those qualities in one game today – Derby Della Capitale. In a crucial game between two Rome teams, Mancini scored a brace in a convincing 2-0 win which keeps Roma in a Champions League race, while leaving Lazio in even deeper result crisis.

The formal guests lost three out of their last four games with Roma in all competition and had numerous injuries, fielding a weak staring 11, with a third-choice keeper. Ironically, Alessio Furlanetto was the best man in Lacio’s team, as he prevented Roma players to score at least three more goals. Roma remained unbeaten in their last 11 at home, while keeping seven clean sheets and they enjoyed their fans’ backup, since Lazio loyalists boycotted the match due to their anger towards the club president. The good news continued as Roma’s rival for the Champions League place, Juventus was defeated, which put’s Gasperini’s team in a pole position before the last round.

The first chance in a rather boring first half came after nine minutes, when Pisilli's cross from the right led to Tavares’ own goal, but Furlanetto prevented the disaster. Then nothing happened until the 30th minute when Dia scored for Lazio, but from an offside position. The visitors had really good chance in the 36th minute, when Provstgaard somehow managed to miss a sitter from five meters away after a corner kick. The punishment came four minutes later, as Mancini found himself in almost the same situation, but unlike Provstgaard, scored from the corner for the lead.

Second half was again uneventful, at lest until 63rd minute, when Malen took a great shot but Furlanetto made a great save. Minutes later, the third choice Lazio keeper was against at the right place and saved Dybala’s perfect free kick. But after the following corner, Lazio against allowed the same situation with the first goal and even the scorer was the same – Mancini for 2-0. Soon after the goal, a first scuffle came and it resulted with both Wesley and Rovella getting red cards. The rest of the game was all Roma, who had two good opportunities to score more goals, but Furlanetto saved them all.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 37

Sunday

Como - Parma 1-0 (0-0)

/Moreno 58/

Genoa - Milan 1-2 (0-0)

/Vasquez 86 - Nkunku 54(p), Athekame 81

Juventus - Fiorentina 0-2 (0-1)

/Ndour 34, Mandragora 83/

Pisa - Napoli 0-3 (0-2)

/McTominay 21, Rrhamani 27, Hojlund 90+3/

Roma - Lazio 2-0 (1-0)

/Mancini 40, 64/

16.00: (1.20) Inter (6.75) Verona (14.0)

19.00: (1.67) Atalanta (4.20) Bologna (5.00)

21.45: (2.70) Sassuolo (3.05) Lecce (2.80)

21.45: (2.50) Udinese (3.35) Cremonese (3.05)

21.45: (2.35) Cagliari (3.10) Torino (3.50)

***odds are subject to change***