Facebook Twitter Telegram

Category: Serie A

Tempers Flare in Rome as Pellegrini Steals the Show in Derby Victory

Roma vs Lazio

Lorenzo Pellegrini stole the show in Rome’s impressive 2-0 victory over Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, earning Football Italia’s Man of the Match award. The Italian midfielder ignited the home crowd early on, finding the back of the net just ten minutes into the game. This marked his first Serie A appearance at the Stadio Olimpico since late October, making the goal even more special. Lazio appeared shaken by Roma’s blistering start, Alexis Saelemaekers netting the second one, just eight minutes later. Lazio did not collapse from there completely, but their reaction was not with any real coherence.  Pushing with a sense of urgency, one final attempt to get their fight back in this match. Manager Marco Baroni replaced two attackers at half-time, trading out Assan Ceesay and Gabriel Strefezza for Loum Tchaouna and Boulaye Dia to bolster the attack.  Lazio did find some reasonable opportunities — at least enough to score once — but into the brick wall that was the Roman defense, they bounced. As the match went on, tensions flared between both teams. Referee Luca Pairetto handed out eight yellow cards, three to Roma and five to Lazio, along with a late red card to Taty Castellanos. Paulo Dybala managed to get three Lazio players booked in the first half alone. The Argentine was substituted in the second half, and thanks to Roma’s solid defense, Claudio Ranieri secured his fifth derby victory from five matches. Roma remains in 10th place, while Lazio holds onto fourth. In total, eight cards (three for Roma, five for Lazio) were shown by ref Luca Pairetto as tensions flared in the Rome derby, capped with a red card late on for Lazio’s Castellanos. Dybala was especially troublesome for Lazio, earning three bookings in the first half alone. But Roma’s resolute backline remained solid, handing Claudio Ranieri another victory after five derby attempts. The win keeps Roma in 10th place, while Lazio stay fourth. Looking ahead, Roma faces Bologna on January 12th, Genoa on January 17th, and then travels to face Udinese on January 26th. Lazio has a Coppa Italia fixture against Como on January 10th, followed by a league clash with Hellas Verona on January 19th, and a home game against Fiorentina on January 26th.

Leece and Genoa Scoreless Draw at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare

Lecce vs Genoa

Lecce and Genoa met in a goalless match at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare as neither side could breach the other’s defenses once. Better opportunities did not result in goals, and the score remained frustratingly 0-0 at the end. The draw keeps Lecce in the 18th place, and they are fighting their way out from relegation. On the other hand, Genoa is still in 13th to fortify their mid-table position. Lecce will play a match against Empoli on 11 January and two more: one against Cagliari on 19 January and another at home against Inter on 26 January. Genoa’s matches are laid out ahead such as against Parma on 12 January, Roma on 17 January, and Monza at home on 27 January.

Finally a win for Cagliari – ended losing streak after 2-1 to Monza

Monza vs Cagliari

Monza now have five straight defeats. Cagliari ended their wretched run of four straight defeats in the Serie A against Monza on Sunday. The match finished 2-1. Monza took an early lead when Gianluca Caprari scored a penalty after 6 minutes, making it 1-0. Cagliari equalised to make it 1-1, as Nadir Zortea netted, with an assist by Mattia Felici, in the 22nd minute. With 56 minutes on the clock, Cagliari’s Roberto Piccoli found the net following a A. Obert assist to seal the win to complete Cagliari’s come back. Monza’s Danilo D’Ambrosio was sent off in the 63rd minute. It leaves Cagliari in 17th place and that Monza are in 20th and last place. Monza play Fiorentina on 13 January, Bologna on 18 January and Genoa (away) on 27 January. Cagliari’s next opponents are Milan on 11 January, Lecce on 19 January and Torino (away) on 24 January.