Roma were defeated 1-0 by Lazio in the Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.
The Biancocelesti sealed the cup win when Senad Lulic put away an easy chance in the 71st minute to send the Lazio fans into rapture.
In the opening stages Vladimir Petkovic’s side looked the more comfortable and settled well, having more possession as well as creating the game’s first opportunity.
Lulic managed to find a yard of space on the edge of the penalty area and his curling shot was pushed wide by Bogdan Lobont into the path of Miroslav Klose, but the German could only fire into the side netting.
However, the Giallorossi eventually started to dominate the ball and Michael Bradley, breaking into the box, fired wide from the right side of the six-yard box, though, he should really have hit the target.
As the first half wore on Lazio should have taken the lead when Stefan Radu swung in a deep cross for Klose, whose header from six yards was directed straight at Lobont whose reaction save kept his side in the game.
Then just before half time Mattia Destro should have gave Roma the lead, when he put a free header wide of Marchetti’s right hand post.
Following the break, the game opened up a little with Marquinho, Destro and Bradley all having tame shots from length, while the Biancocelesti did swing in a few dangerous balls from the right, but in the end they came to nothing.
The game became a bit scrappy with neither side creating anything of note. Francesco Totti fired high and wide from a freekick, while Klose couldn’t stretch far enough to get on the end of an inviting cross.
Klose then again had an excellent opportunity to put the Biancocelesti ahead, but as before, he couldn’t get a touch on a Stefano Mauri low cut-back. Then second later at the other end Totti forced Marchetti into a good low save.
Moments later Destro found himself with acres of space in the penalty area but he scuffed his shot and Marchetti gathered with ease at his near post.
However, it was Lazio who took the lead as Lulic tapped in from close range after Lobont touched an Antonio Candreva cross away from Marquinhos into the path of the Bosnian.
To add to the excitement, Roma almost levelled the match within a minute. Totti fired in a freekick which Marchetti instinctively palmed onto the crossbar after it bounced in a muddle of players just metres in front of him.
Roma poured forward in search on an equaliser but the Lazio backline held firm while Mauri did have the opportunity to put the game to bed after being sent through on goal by Klose. But the Italian fired straight at Lobont.
After four minutes of time added on, Lazio took the win and delivered the first piece of silverware in the Petkovic era, as well as a win which sees them qualify for the Europa League next season.
