Accused from all quarters of a ‘biscotto’ – a pre-arranged result – when they met on May 15 2005, neither Lazio nor Roma were content to settle for a draw on this occasion as they went head-to-head for second place and Champions League access.
That dull derby a decade a decade ago had been dominated by fear of relegation with the match ending in a goalless draw, whereas the 142nd Derby della Capitale in Serie A was fervent and frenetic.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli may have been busiest man in the first-half as he distributed out four yellow cards, but it was Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa who was the unlikely hero for Roma as they won 2-1 to secure second place.
With both clubs unable to consistently challenge the sustained dominance of the northern city clubs, in spite of their financial resources, star players and passionate sets of supporters, derby matches have historically always taken on added importance.
While campanilismo (local pride) was still essential to this derby, Rome daily broadsheet Il Messaggero also stressed the extra motivation of €50 million guaranteed for finishing in second place and gaining direct entry into the Champions League group phase.
Roma were nine points ahead of Lazio when they first met on January 11 in Round 18 and even had the opportunity to temporarily go top of the Serie A standings on that occasion.
However after the 2-2 draw that will be remembered for Francesco Totti taking a selfie with the Curva Sud, nine draws and three defeats in their following 18 league fixtures meant Roma went into the rescheduled match just one point ahead of their eternal rivals.
Having been mathematically assured of at least the Champions League preliminary round ahead of kick-off after Napoli lost 3-1 at Juventus on Saturday, the Giallorossi defended deep for long spells with the onus on the opponents to overtake them.
Although they pushed hard for a win, the Biancocelesti will now need to avoid defeat at Napoli in the final game as they could lose third place and the final Champions League place on a head-to-head.
Roma may have only managed one shot in the first-half – their joint-lowest tally in Serie A this season – and scored two goals with their only two shots on target of the match.
But after Lazio substitute Filip Djordjevic equalised eight minutes later after Juan Iturbe opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, Roma restored their advantage almost immediately as Yanga-Mbiwa glanced a Miralem Pjanic free-kick from the right side into the far bottom corner.
There have been numerous unlikely match-winners for both sides in the Derby della Capitale in recent years from Guerino Gottardi (1998), Lucas Castroman (2001) and Valon Behrami (2008) to Marco Cassetti (2009).
While €22m summer-signing Juan Iturbe had waited 232 days since his lost Serie A goal in the 3-2 defeat at Juventus on October 5, Yanga-Mbiwa had not scored since a 3-1 win for Montpellier at Caen on October 22 2011 in Ligue 1.
Roma supporters may have been unhappy with their side’s performances in the second half of the season and refused to partake in their usual derby day choreography in protest against president James Pallotta.
And with the capital has always been a tough place for coaches and players alike as the passionate supporters keep both Lazio and Roma under constant pressure, a goal or good performance in a Rome derby can make a player’s career.
In spite of not always being a first choice in central defence following his arrival last summer from Newcastle United, Yanga-Mbiwa will have secured cult hero status among Romanisti as he secured a first “away” win against Lazio November 7 2010.
“My teammates told me I will remain in Roma history now and I am very happy to know that,” Yanga-Mbiwa told Sport Mediaset after the match.
“The important thing is the victory and knowing we will be in the Champions League next season.
“I hadn’t scored for many years, but this week we worked a lot on set play situations. It paid off tonight.”
