Roma emerged 1-0 victors in the Derby del Sole against Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.
Miralem Pjanic’s goal boosted the Giallorossi’s Champions League’s hopes, whilst at the same time putting a dent in Napoli’s own Champions League’s hopes.
A cagey opening from both sides saw very little happen but Roma captain Daniele De Rossi did find himself in the book early on.
Napoli could have stunned the Stadio Olympico and taken the lead in the 13th minute but David Lopez failed to get much of a connection onto Dries Mertens superb corner.
Jose Holebas was booked by referee Nicola Rizzoli for a foul on Jose Callejon right on the edge of the area which led to Fouzi Ghoulam having the first real shot on target but his free-kick was easily gathered by Morgan De Sanctis.
Roma did take the lead in the 25th minute when Juan Iturbe beat four Napoli players laid the ball out to Alessandro Fiorenzi on the right and his low cross picked out Pjanic to sweep past Mariano Andujar for his fourth goal of the season.
Napoli had a golden chance to equalize after Gonzalo Higuain’s through ball split the home defense and put Jose Callejon through on goal but the Spaniard dallied before laying the ball back to Jonathan De Guzman who’s shot was blocked by the arm of Kostas Manolas, which brought loud penalty appeals from the Napoli players but Rizzoli waved away the appeals.
Higuain showed some great skill, towards the end of the half, to get free in the box but his curling effort just went over.
Napoli started the second half much brighter with Mertens having two great chance to equalise in quick succession after great jinking runs into the Roma box but the Belgian’s shot were both well saved by De Sanctis.
De Sanctis was proving to be Roma’s saviour, against his former club, as he made a brilliant save to claw away a first time Manolo Gabbiadini effort after a good run by De Guzman.
With Roma’s defence looking nervous Gabbiadini had another chance when the ball was laid off to him on the edge of the area but his shot this time went straight at De Sanctis.
Despite being under pressure at one end, Iturbe should have made the game comfortable after being put through by substitute Victor Ibarbo but after going around Andujar he shot into the side netting from a tight angle.
Despite Napoli throwing everybody forward, including goalkeeper Andujar, it was the home side who held on to record a vital three points.
