Lazio Eyes Champions League after 3-0 Derby Win over Roma

Lazio's Ciro Immobile celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Lazio and Roma, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. (AP)
Lazio's Ciro Immobile celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Lazio and Roma, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. (AP)
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Lazio Eyes Champions League after 3-0 Derby Win over Roma

Lazio's Ciro Immobile celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Lazio and Roma, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. (AP)
Lazio's Ciro Immobile celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Lazio and Roma, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. (AP)

Lazio revived its chances of staying in the Champions League by convincingly beating third-placed Roma 3-0 in a Serie A derby on Friday.

Luis Alberto scored twice and Ciro Immobile also found the target as Lazio controlled throughout.

Lazio moved up to seventh place, two points behind fourth-placed Juventus, which faces a challenging visit to Inter Milan on Sunday; and three points behind Roma, which saw its title hopes fade.

It was a third straight league win for Lazio, which faces Bayern Munich in the Champions League next month.

“This season it was a bit more important than usual, because we weren’t doing as well in Serie A as we wanted,” Luis Alberto said of the derby. “We improved a great deal, and we confirmed that in the derby."

It matched Lazio’s biggest margin of victory over Roma in Serie A, having also won the derby 3-0 in March 2019 and December 2006.

Immobile opened the scoring 14 minutes in by completing a counterattack when Roma defenders Chris Smalling and Ibañez both slipped to the ground.

Lazio doubled the lead nine minutes later when Ibañez was again left on the ground following strong play from Manuel Lazzari, who set up Luis Alberto for a clear look.

Immobile threatened throughout yet it was Luis Alberto who sealed it with a shot around a defender into the far corner in the 67th.

In a match usually marked by colorful fan choreography, no spectators were allowed inside the Stadio Olimpico due to the coronavirus pandemic.



Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
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Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 

After leaving Cristiano Ronaldo at home, Al-Nassr drew 0-0 away against Iranian club Persepolis on Monday in the last round of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

The Saudi Arabian team had already secured a place in the round of 16 of the continental competition and coach Stefano Pioli took a weakened team to Tehran.

Al-Nassr finished third in the West group behind fellow Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. The top eight advance from each of the two 12-team groups, divided into eastern and western geographic zones.

Al-Ahli beat Al-Gharafa of Qatar 4-2 with former Premier League players Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino all scoring, along with Brazilian winger Galeno.

Also, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan defeated Qatar’s Al-Sadd 2-1 to move into the second round.