Feisty fans steer clear as Roma claim derby
A defensive blunder helped decide a heated Rome derby but many fans weren’t there to see it, due to a protest.
Lazio’s Brazilian defender Wallace gifted the ball to Kevin Strootman, who scored Roma’s opener midway through the second half and Radja Nainggolan then doubled the lead for a 2-0 win yesterday.
Roma’s celebrations were not as loud as usual because the club’s most ardent supporters stayed away from the match in protest at plexiglass security barriers introduced at the start of last season in their area.
Normally filled with supporters waving huge banners, lighting flares and singing, half of the “curva sud” — southern end — of the Stadio Olimpico was left empty.
“It’s ugly to see,” said Strootman, who scored with a delicate chip shot over Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
“The fans who did come were very helpful to us. Hopefully the others will come to the next matches.” The victory moved Roma back in to second place, four points behind Juventus, who beat Atalanta 3-1 on Sunday. AC Milan are level on points with Roma in third after coming from a goal down to beat visiting Crotone 2-1. In the next round, Roma host Milan. After Strootman’s goal and an extended celebration, words appeared to be exchanged. Strootman appeared to toss water from a bottle at Lazio’s Danilo Cataldi, who reacted by tugging the neck of Strootman’s shirt as the Netherlands midfielder walked away. That prompted both benches to get involved, leading to a melee. Cataldi, who had been on the bench, was red carded and Strootman was shown a yellow.