The pre- match clash between rival fans couldn’t deter the glamour of the game as AS Roma hosted SC Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Brazilian playmaker, Harnanes, gave Lazio the lead in the 16th minute with a spectacular effort 25 yards away from goal. He failed to extend the lead early in the second half when he missed a penalty.
Roma also started the game on a high note, launching an early assault on the Lazio goal with Eric Lamela coming up short against Federico Marcheti’s goalkeeping twice in the first few minutes of the game.
Harnanes’ goal in the 16th minute earned Lazio the lead. Receiving the ball at what seemed to be a safe distance from goal; he shot into the top left- hand corner, beating goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Another attempt by Antonio Candreva failed to widen the gap as Stekelenburg caught the ball.
Marcheti was once again tested by Francesco Totti, but the ‘biancoceleste’ went into the break with a deserved lead.
Three minutes into the second half, Roma defender, Marquinhos handled the ball in the area. Harnanes took the spot kick and uncharacteristically placed a soft shot wide off target.
Harnanes went from a hero to a villain three minutes later when he fouled Miralem Pjanic inside the penalty area.
Totti put the opportunity to good use. It was his 12th goal this season and 227th of his Serie A career moving him within 47 of Silvio Piola’s all- time record. Last month, Totti passed Swedish great Gunnar Nordahl to sit second on the all- time list.
Lazio lost Biava for a second bookable offence, but still seemed to be the top dog as Roma struggled through the rest of the game. They were unable to impose themselves on the game and, apart from a Totti free- kick which was saved by Marcheti, they never looked like grabbing a winner as Lazio went on to end the game on the attack.
It was also Totti’s 9th career goal in the Serie A derby, tying him for the record with Dino Da Costa and Marco Delvecchio. Da Costa has 11 derby goals, including Italian cup matches.
“This is the greatest record,” Totti said. “I wanted this one more than all the others.”
