Roma take derby spoils against Lazio in tempestuous affair

Alessio Furlanetto encountered significant difficulty during his debut for Lazio in the Derby della Capitale. He needed to intervene early to block an own goal from Nuno Tavares who had redirected a free kick by Niccolo Pisilli toward the target after nine minutes.

Roma then secured several corners culminating in Furlanetto saving a deflected effort from Wesley Franca. Lazio responded with a fluid move in the middle of the first half but Mile Svilar saved a curling low shot from Matteo Cancellieri.

Boulaye Dia found the net in the 29th minute following multiple attempts though the offside decision was straightforward.

I Biancocelesti continued pressing with Dia threading a pass to Tijjani Noslin whose shot went across the goal and just wide. Roma then claimed the lead from a set piece.

Five minutes prior to half time Pisilli swung in a corner which Gianluca Mancini headed powerfully beyond Furlanetto.

Lazio started the second period with intent since European places were no longer possible and local pride mattered. Noslin and Cancellieri replicated earlier attempts.

Roma threatened to double their advantage after the hour when Donyell Malen unleashed a fine volley that the goalkeeper parried. Furlanetto then tipped a Paulo Dybala free kick over the bar.

Dybala took the corner that followed and Mancini rose highest once more to head in for a second time.

With around 20 minutes left tempers rose after a clash between Mancini and Daniel Maldini sparking several incidents.

Following the disturbance referee Fabio Maresca dismissed both Wesley Franca and Nicolo Rovella leaving each team with 10 players.

Artem Dovbyk hit the post soon after entering the field. This proved the sole notable opportunity as Roma saw out the victory. The result marks Gian Piero Gasperini as only the second Roma manager in 50 years to win his opening two derbies. Meanwhile Maurizio Sarri has now seen his team lose consecutive matches for just the second occasion this season.