Lazio Roma – AS Roma: Defensive Errors Consign Roma To Derby Defeat (3-0)

A couple of Roma defensive errors set Roma back and allowed Lazio to defend deep in a 5-3-2 formation for most of the contest. The compact Lazio shape proved too difficult to breach for Roma whose usual play through Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lorenzo Pellegrini was stifled. Lazio effectively managed the game with stout defending and constant attacking of the space offered in transition to come away with the win. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

With this clash, Serie A fans were treated to a Friday-night Rome derby. This was especially exciting with the current makeup of the league table. Both Roman sides were well within the mix of up to nine clubs within eyesight of the Champions League spots. Lazio were in eighth spot, six points behind their city rivals in third. Besides bragging rights, a win either way would have a significant effect on the league season.

Simone Inzaghi put out same 3-5-2 formation from their last game. Pepe Reina was in goal and a back three of Luiz Felipe, Francesco Acerbi and Ștefan Radu. The midfield trio of Luis Alberto, Lucas Leiva and Sergej Milinković-Savić were flanked by the wing-backs, Manuel Lazzari and Adam Marušić. Felipe Caicedo and Ciro Immobile were the front two. 

Roma were in a 3-4-2-1 shape as Paulo Fonseca also opted for the same lineup from their previous fixture. Goalkeeping duties were in the hands of Pau López while Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling and Roger Ibañez were ahead of him. Rick Karsdorp and Leonardo Spinazzola were then the wing-backs while the double pivot Two . . .