Thaindian News

Rome, March 5 (IANS) Lazio beat 10-man Roma 2-1 in an Italian Seria A derby match to move up to the third spot in the league standings.

Roma were reduced to 10 men in the 10th minute after goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was sent off for bringing down Lazio striker Miroslav Klose in the area.

Hernanes converted the resulting penalty to put Lazio 1-0 ahead Sunday, Xinhua reports.

Roma equalised six minutes later through Fabio Borini but Stefano Mauri put Lazio in front for good shortly after the hour mark to give Roma their first loss at home since October 23.

Lazio ended the game down to 10 men after Lionel Scaloni was sent off four minutes from time for a second bookable offence.

Lazio leapfrogged Udinese, who drew with Atalanta, into the last Champions League qualifying place. They are two points clear of Udinese.

Roma head coach Luis Enrique was furious after his side lost to Lazio again in the current season.

“It would be nice to end a derby with eleven men on the pitch. I don’t know what I have done to deserve this.”

“There are 12 games to go, our work is to continue to the end of the season. If we talk about the two derbies, it would be nice to play with eleven on the field,” he said.

“If we had lost with eleven against eleven, then that would be easier to deal with, but in this situation it becomes very frustrating and disappointing. I really thought we could win this match doing our best, but it all crumbled after seven minutes,” he added.

Lazio head coach Edy Reja celebrated like an ultra as his side won both the Rome derbies in one season for the first time in 15 years.

“We prepared the game in a certain way and did not change our balance when Roma went down to 10 men, as if your side is balanced then sooner or later you will have the chances to win,” he said.

“We won and that is what counts. I would change the rule of the straight red card for a goalkeeper, as it is too damaging for the teams. I would prefer a yellow card and penalty instead,” he added.

Inter Milan struck twice late in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw against Catania at the San Siro.

The Nerazzurri looked to be heading for their fifth straight league defeat after first-half goals from Alejandro Gomez and Mariano Izco put Catania on course for an upset.

However, Diego Forlan ended Inter’s one-month goal-drought in the 71st minute to bring his side back into the match before team-mate Diego Milito equalised with 10 minutes remaining.

In the other kick-offs of the day, Udinese were held to a scoreless draw at home by Atalanta. Siena beat Cagliari 3-0. Fiorentina held off Cesena 2-0. Lecce drew with Genoa 2-2. Bologna beat Novara 1-0.

In an earlier game, Parma lost to Napoli 2-1, thanks to some awful decisions by the referee.