The goal that turned the title race: Dalmat remembers his strike against Lazio in 2001

One of the most important goals in Roma's 2000-01 title-winning season did not even come in a Giallorossi game. We speak to the architect of the run-in's decisive moments...

Time: 27 May 2001. Place: Stadio San Nicola, Bari.

Inter v Lazio was being played at a neutral venue after fans had thrown a scooter from the stands at San Siro a few weeks earlier. It was the 92nd minute and Lazio were leading 1-0 thanks to a goal by Hernan Crespo. Had it stayed that way, Lazio would have taken the Scudetto race down to the wire.

That's when Stephane Dalmat entered the scene.

The French midfielder was plying his trade for Inter at the time but he earned himself a place in Roma fans' hearts that day. Had there been a Best Supporting Actor award for Roma's third Scudetto, Dalmat would have got it.

“It's a moment I'll never forget,” he began, in surprisingly good Italian, exactly 15 years after the day.

How about you talk us through the goal?

“Sure, I'd love to. It's always remained clearly impressed in my mind.

"There were just a few minutes of the game left when [Pierluigi] Collina awarded us a free kick on the edge of the box, slightly to the right. [Alvaro] Recoba went over to take it – you probably remember he was something of a dead-ball wizard. That left foot of his was deadly. But on that occasion he gave me a look and I understood he wasn't going to shoot. He didn't feel like it. He said to me: “Now it's your turn.”

Then what happened?

“He laid it off to me just outside the area in a central position. I hit it with my right without thinking, almost with my eyes closed. The ball fizzed through the air and I watched as it flew into the top corner. [Angelo] Peruzzi – one of the world's best keepers at the time – could do nothing about it.”

How important a goal was it?

“It was important for Inter because we needed a point to be sure of a UEFA Cup place. And it was important for me because I scored the best goal of my career that day.”

Meanwhile, when news of Inter's equaliser filtered through back at the Olimpico, there was an incredible roar – almost as loud as if Roma had scored. That goal had increased the Giallorossi's lead on Lazio back to four points two matches from the end of the season.

“Yeah, I know all about that. After the game people told me the whole stadium was celebrating and some of them even started chanting my name. It was nice to hear that, even though I never played in the capital.”

Francesco Totti was on the bench at the time and was one of those celebrating. What do you think of the Roma captain?

“What is there to say? He's one of the 10 best players I ever played against. He's a decisive player who's been winning games with his magic for years. He did the same again this year.”

How come your career at Inter never took off after that goal?

“It was my own fault. At the time I was too worried about competition for places because of the new players coming in in my position and I lost a bit of self-confidence. I made a mistake. If I'd kept working as hard as always I would have found space at Inter. Never mind.”

Do you think you achieved less than you could have in your career?

“It probably could have gone better, yes. But I don't have any regrets. It could have gone worse too. I played for some big clubs so I can't complain.”

You retired from the game in 2012 at the age of 33. Maybe a bit early?

“You could say that. The problem was I didn't want to be a professional footballer anymore – the training sessions, training camps and all the time in hotels. I just wanted to play with no pressure.”

What do you do now?

“I work as a commentator for a French TV station and when I have time I organise amateur tournaments with friends. I still enjoy myself whenever I've got a ball at my feet.”