Pellegrini returns from exile to secure Rome derby triumph over Lazio

Lorenzo Pellegrini secured a win for Roma in the derby against Lazio on Sunday, with the ex captain emerging from the sidelines to score the sole goal in a 1 0 victory at the lively Stadio Olimpico.

The Rome native had been stripped of the captaincy at his lifelong club and put up for transfer in the summer, yet he proved crucial against Lazio in his season debut and helped Roma climb to fourth in Serie A with nine points.

That 38th minute effort marked Pellegrinis fourth goal in a Rome derby and justified the trust from new manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who fielded the 29 year old in one of Romas most important fixtures.

Gasperini appeared to have sidelined Pellegrini, who boasts 36 international appearances for Italy, but on Saturday he suggested a spot in the derby lineup, while stressing that the midfielder was on thin ice unless he transforms into an athlete and begins to sprint.

Lazio remain mired on three points after four league games this term, though they might have grabbed a share of the spoils in the heated clash, despite the dismissal of Reda Belahyane via a direct red.

Matteo Guendouzi compounded the pain for 13th placed Lazio by earning a sending off for protesting to the referees after the whistle.

Prior to Pellegrinis decisive strike, the main threats came from long range shots by Pedro and Mattia Zaccagni, the latter of which Mile Svilar parried away shortly before the interval.

Lazios Nicolo Rovella surged along the flank and delivered a tempting low pass that skimmed across the Roma penalty area, yet it eluded his advancing colleagues.

Pellegrini coolly slotted in his first strike since January, following Devyne Renschs interception of a sluggish Nuno Tavares, with Matias Soule providing the ideal assist for the Italian to convert with his initial touch.

Roma pushed aggressively upfront aiming to provoke errors from Lazio, but it was the visitors in name who exposed a vast opening, allowing Boulaye Dia to race through in the 54th minute, only to fire high when through on Svilar.

Dias substitute Valentin Castellanos then unleashed a shot that took a deflection and narrowly missed, before Danilo Cataldi nearly equalised in added time, his bending attempt clipping the posts exterior by mere millimetres.

Roma stood firm and seized the prestige in the Eternal City, edging a point behind Serie A frontrunners Juventus.