Roma hoping for lift-off after Lazio win
Monday, November 17, 2008
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"This is just the beginning," said AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti after his side belied recent form to beat S.S. Lazio 1-0 in the derby on Sunday, and he hopes the Giallorossi may now mount a surge up the standings.
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When Francesco Totti missed training with a knee problem on Friday, the more superstitious among AS Roma's supporters must have breathed a sigh of a relief, almost hoping the Giallorossi captain would not recover in time to face fierce rivals S.S. Lazio on Sunday night. The last time Roma had won a derby with Totti on the field was on 9 November 2003, but on this occasion they were strong enough to overcome both bad luck and their city neighbours in one fell swoop.
Turning point
In spite of the omens, Roma triumphed 1-0 thanks to Júlio Baptista's goal after 50 minutes, and for the first time in five years Totti led his side to victory in the capital derby. "This is just the beginning," said coach Luciano Spalletti. "Tonight's victory gives us our optimism back, and this is the most important thing because it always helps when you win games like this." The 49-year-old former Udinese Calcio trainer hopes the match will prove to be a turning point for his team after a poor start to the season. "We have regained enthusiasm; now we must keep on winning."
Indifferent form
Spalletti's charges have been inconsistent at best since the start of the campaign and went into Sunday's showdown just one point clear of the relegation zone – with a game in hand – and 14 behind Lazio. They gave their first important signs of life less than two weeks ago with a 3-1 UEFA Champions League victory at the Stadio Olimpico, but four days later they were held to a 1-1 draw by third-from-bottom Bologna FC. That left the derby looking vital, although Lazio appeared to be fearsome opponents, having scored more goals than other team in Serie A and lying just two points behind leaders FC Internazionale Milano.
'Significant moment'
The win was Spalletti's 100th since joining Roma in 2005, and he dedicated it to the supporters who remained faithful as well as the players, who kept on working hard through a difficult spell. "Baptista's goal was a significant moment in both the match and our season," he said. "It was his second goal in the league and it was applauded by our fans in a passionate way, to show that they are all still behind us."
