Top ‘Derby della Capitale’ Memories from the CdT Era

The Derby della Capitale is always an exciting fixture; no matter the time of year or how either team’s season is going, the most heated rivalry on the peninsula often produces fireworks. The two sides have met in 171 official matches since the inaugural match way back in 1929 with Roma winning 65 times, Lazio 45, and 61 ending in draws. There’s nothing better for a Romanista than to watch i Lupi defeat their city rivals and nothing worse than to fall to the Biancoceleste.

Having been founded/reorganized in2012, CdT hasn’t been around for quite all of these matches. Nonetheless, in a relatively short time, we have seen plenty of highs (and lows) in the derby. With the anticipation of the next edition of the derby building, let’s look back at some of the top derbies in CdT’s time covering all things Giallorossi.

Roma 2 - 0 Lazio, September 22, 2013

Roma entered this early season match on a five match winless streak against its city rivals. On top of that Roma had ended the previous season with a loss to Lazio in the Coppa Italia final. There was no way that Roma could afford to loss to Lazio year again. They needed this one. And they got it. It was a tight, tense affair, but Roma was able to break its winless derby run thanks to a surprise goal from Federico Balzaretti and a late Adem Ljajic penalty. The Coppa final loss was avenged.

Roma 2 - 2 Lazio, January 11, 2015

This one will always be remember as the ‘selfie derby’. Roma has an absolutely awful first half in this one. The Giallorossi trailed 2-0 at halftime after two quick Lazio goals in the 25th and 29th minutes. Things were looking bleak. Then the captain struck. A goal by Francesco Totti early in the second half reignited Roma and brought the match back to life. Then the magic moment happened in the 64th when Totti flew in to score the tying goal. After celebrating with teammates, Totti snapped the famous selfie in front of the Curva Sud. The captain saved the day and snatched two points out of the grasp of Lazio. That 3 point swing turned out to be vital, as Roma finished a point ahead of Lazo for second when the 2014/15 season was said and done.

Lazio 1- 2 Roma, May 25, 2015

Just when it looked like this match couldn’t be more meaningful than the 2013 Coppa Italia final, this one may have reached that level. No there was no trophy on the line, but the city rivals would battle it out on match day 37 for second place and an automatic bid to the 2015/16 Champions League group stage. This one was nervy and tightly contested. As the match played out a draw was looking more and more likely, until Juan Iturbe struck in the 72nd minute. The Giallorosso half of Olimpico exploded in ecstasy while Lazio looked downtrodden.

Roma was on it’s way to victory and second place when Filip Dordevic struck in the 81st. Shock for Roma. It was back to square one and the momentum pendulum had swung to the northern side of the stadium. Then just moments later, the most unlikely of heroes struck for Roma. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa got his head on the end of a Miralem Pjanic free kick to nod home the winner in the 85th; his only Roma goal. Roma had clinched second in the most dramatic of fashion.

Lazio 1 - 4 Roma, April 3, 2016

It’s not every day that one can enjoy a thorough beat down in the derby. Normally, matches are tight, physical and full off bookings. This one had plenty of bookings, especially for Lazio. However, it also had plenty of goals. Most derbies tend to consider 2-0 a ‘big win’. This one took it to a new level with Roma putting up four on its city rivals in a season where it was clearly the better side; beating Lazio twice by a combined score of 6-1 and finishing 26 points above the Biancoceleste in the standings. When Roma outplays Lazio like this, you just sit back and enjoy it.

Roma 3 - 1 Lazio, September 29, 2018

The most recent derby. Early this season it looked like the ship was sinking for Roma, EDF’s head seemed like it could be on the chopping block if Roma didn’t get things right. The first half looked destined to end scoreless, but then Lorenzo Pellergini struck in the 45th minute. It would take two more goals from Kolarov and Fazio to seal the deal after Ciro Immobile tied it, but Roma proved victorious. This was the match that got Pellegrini’s Roma career truly kick started and kept the Giallorossi from completely bottoming out.

We can only hope that the next edition of the derby can provide some more memorable moments for we Romansiti. Until then, let us know your favorite Derby della Capitale from the CdT or earlier.