Keys to Victory: Derby delight in five-goal thriller!

Roma ensured the first chapter of the women’s Derby della Capitale was theirs to write by defeating Lazio 3-2 in a dramatic battle on Sunday.

Meeting for the first time ever in Serie A Femminile, the two rivals contested an intense match, but it was one Roma always looked in control of even when the scores had been level.

Taking a two-goal lead courtesy of headers from Valeria Pirone and Vanessa Bernauer – each from Manuela Giugliano corners – Roma were eventually pegged back, with Lazio restoring parity just before the hour mark.

But the visitors did not push on for a winner after and Roma took advantage, re-asserting their control of the clash. Benedetta Glionna scored a free kick to win it within the last 20 minutes.

The first derby is Roma’s – just like it was in the first men’s edition back in 1928 – and here’s how they made sure it was.

Key Moment

In a game full of twists and turns, there were several significant events – but how could the most memorable be anything other than the winning goal?

Glionna caught Lazio out with her direct strike from a set piece, firing the ball in from range.

Evading the wall and the opposition keeper, the winger’s effort took a deceptive bounce and found its rightful place in the back of the net.

The celebrations that followed were even bigger than those that had come for the earlier goals. Although plenty of the game still remained, there was instantly a clear sense that this was going to be the winner.

It turned out to be exactly the case. But Roma kept probing anyway, Glionna herself rising in confidence to show more courage on the ball as the full-time whistle approached and a few of her teammates being inspired too.

The margin of victory would ultimately just be by the one goal, though – yet Glionna made sure it was a memorable one, not just because of its significance but also its style.

Key Player

Although it rarely felt like Roma were under pressure, it was understandable that there would be nerves heading into the closing exchanges. Fortunately, some players were determined to ensure there was no need.

The centre-back pairing of Elena Linari and Allyson Swaby had been resistant throughout, and the latter really stepped up late on to calm any tension.

In a match of such magnitude, Roma would have been looking at their most experienced players to manage the game well. But in truth, this was a new experience for everyone, so they all had to play their part.

The 25-year-old Swaby has built up a decent amount of experience during her three years with Roma so far, but went beyond and played like a veteran in those final minutes.

Winning duels, making blocks and taking the sting out of the game, Swaby was described as a “wall” in the commentary and it was an accurate analogy.

Her performance was even more impressive given the range of tactical tweaks Alessandro Spugna made throughout the match. Swaby and Linari had to adapt, holding things down as the identities of the players around them and the shape in which they were set up changed.

Both stood up to the task and it was the Jamaica international who could be most proud of her display, as it demonstrated how she too has become a leader and focal point in the backline.

Key Decision

At the other end of the pitch, Spugna set up with strikers Valeria Pirone and Paloma Lazaro for the first time together in a Serie A match.

Both have been finding some form recently, and they worked as a pair against Tavagnacco in a recent Coppa Italia clash in which they both scored. But in the league, Spugna had been picking between one or the other until this point.

The partnership worked to good effect. Obviously, Pirone had a day to remember by becoming the first scorer in the women’s derby, her header powering her side ahead before a celebration in the style of Vincenzo Montella, himself famed for being a derby protagonist in the Roma No. 9 shirt.

In truth, Pirone’s range was a bit off for the rest of the game, but she put in a big shift – as did her strike partner.

Lazaro wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet herself, but – often dropping deeper than Pirone – held the ball up well and dealt with the physicality of the game.

The Spaniard hit the woodwork with a header when the scoreline was 2-2, which was the closest she came to scoring, but by playing to her strengths throughout the 90 minutes, it did not matter that she left the pitch without a goal to her name. Together with Pirone, the overall influence was positive.

How often Spugna selects both strikers together will depend on the formation for each match, but Pirone and Lazaro have given a good indication that they can work as a pair.

Key Fact

Roma have now arrived at the halfway stage of the Serie A season and they are in the territory they want to be in again by the time they have faced all these opponents for a second time.

After 11 games, the Giallorosse are second in the table, which would qualify them for the Champions League if they were to also finish there at the end of the campaign.

There is obviously a long way to go in a competitive division, but Roma are more than keeping pace for now.

Halfway through their first season in 2018-19, Roma only had 17 points. By this stage of their second, they had amassed 24, while their tally was just 16 at this point of last season.

Currently, they are on 25 points, which is therefore their best return at the midpoint of a campaign yet.

Level with Sassuolo but with a superior goal difference (and the head-to-head advantage, after one meeting at least...), Roma have risen up the rankings in recent weeks thanks to a run of five consecutive wins in the league – which is their best ever spell.

It will only add to their motivation as they try to keep up their strong form for the months ahead.

Follow Samuel Bannister on Twitter: @SamBanno1