Alessio Romagnoli has delivered his verdict on an evenly-poised Derby della Capitale as Lazio and Roma drew 0-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Though neither side will benefit much from sharing the spoils, losing would’ve been a catastrophe, given both teams’ dire domestic form.
Lazio came into the match seeking amends for a lackluster 1-0 defeat at Bologna. Stranded in mid-table, last season’s Serie A runners-up demonstrated concrete ambition to take three points. But other than desire, they had virtually nothing to show for it.
Romagnoli was perhaps the closest Lazio player to trouble the scoresheet. He outjumped his markers to get on the end of a perfect set-piece delivery. However, Rui Patricio made an impressive save to thwart his towering header.
As a lifelong Lazio fan, Romagnoli is thrilled to avoid defeat against Roma, although he concedes a draw wasn’t the plan.
“It’s an important point, it’s disappointing because we wanted to win and that would’ve been a big step forward,” the Lazio center-back told DAZN, as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio.
“When you cannot win, it is important to pick up a point. We used up a lot of energy and are now going to try to rest over the break for international duty.“
Romagnoli, who came through the Roma academy before joining Lazio from Milan, opened up on the overwhelming emotions the derby draws out.
“I dreamed of this game, it weighed on my shoulders a lot, because for us fans, it really does weigh on us, but it was good.“
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