Edin Dzeko and Gervinho struck either side of half-time as Roma beat Lazio 2-0 to win the first Eternal City derby of the season.
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Dzeko earned and converted a penalty in the 10th minute to put the Giallorossi on their way. Gervinho doubled Roma’s advantage in the 62nd minute and Lazio’s late attempts proved to no avail.
Rudi Garcia’s team were without five injured players as well as suspended midfielder Miralem Pjanic yet dominated early exchanges.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot after Santiago Gentiletti brought down Dzeko in the area. He struck his spot-kick towards the centre of goal to beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
Lazio could have pulled level one minute later when Dusan Basta fed Antonio Candreva in the area but he hit the ball over the crossbar from eight yards.
Daniele De Rossi is a Roma fan. It’s in his DNA. shouts out Dzeko name with the crowd. #RomaLazio #ASRoma https://t.co/5CZr9H00Oq
— Scot Munroe (@ScotM87) November 8, 2015
The Biancoceleste rued their bad fortune when Anderson struck the crossbar with a right-footed attempt from outside the box. At the other end, Gervinho and Dzeko saw their close-range attempts go just wide.
Roma continued to press forward and in the 40th minute, Nainggolan got past his marker and drilled a right-footed effort from 20 yards that crashed off the post. Lazio looked more dangerous after the restart and in the 46th minute, Anderson’s cross found Marco Parolo in the box, but he fired the ball over.
Just when Lazio were playing at their best, Roma got their second. Nainggolan’s pass found Gervinho and the Ivory Coast striker surged into the area and he blasted the ball just inside the near post and out of Marchetti’s reach.
Lazio could have reduced the arrears in the 87th minute. Lucas Biglia set up substitute Keita in the box and he struck a rightfooted shot towards the far post that was saved by Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
