Cool Lazio prove their might

Derby matches are synonymous with surprise results. More often than not, the underdogs emerge victorious at the expense of their more-quoted rivals.

Derbies are all about passion and pride. The side to keep their cool and play more determinedly are the likely winners in contests of this nature.

Losing a derby may leave devastating effects on the losers, particularly in terms of confidence. After a derby mishap there is only one possible remedy - winning the next one.

Following last season's 1-1 draw and a 0-2 defeat to Roma, on Sunday evening Delio Rossi savoured his moment on the Lazio hot seat as he led his team to their first victory in the derby since he took over from Giuseppe Papadopulo in the summer of 2005. And what an astonishing victory it was!

Roma started the game as absolute favourites. They were on a hot streak and looking to keep the pace with Inter at the top of the standings.

However, Rossi's tactical ploy to field a more prudent midfield comprising three containing players - Christian Ledesma, Massimo Mutarelli and Gaby Mudingayi - paid rich dividends as Francesco Totti and company barely threatened Angelo Peruzzi in the Lazio goal.

Roma saw more of the ball in the first half without creating any scoring chances worth of note. After the change of ends, Roma were almost inexistent in attack.

It was indeed a clever move by Rossi. He blocked Roma in midfield.

Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and David Pizarro were not given enough space to create scoring chances for Totti to finish off. Rossi wanted to prove his worth vis-à-vis his more acclaimed counterpart Luciano Spalletti... Sunday's derby was the perfect occasion.

With this win, Lazio were back on track and leapfrogged a number of teams in fifth place. Moreover, they were happy to see Roma falling off the pace from Inter.

It will be no easy task for the Giallorossi to recover lost ground now. Inter are stronger as a team, have a more resourceful squad and, more importantly, they have already beaten all their major rivals for the scudetto, including Roma and Palermo, away from the Meazza stadium.

Many say the title contest seems over this time... but never say never in football.

Sunday's derby will surely serve as an injection of confidence for the Lazio players. They were already doing well before Sunday. But a victory of similar proportions against their bitter rivals Roma will surely augur well in their ambitious bid to claim one of the four available Champions League slots after starting the season on a minus-3 handicap.

The road is still long and enduring but Rossi, formerly of Lecce and Atalanta, is determined to improve on last season's seventh place finish.

With Inter and Roma likely to occupy the first two places until May, the last two European Cup slots will be up for grabs.

Palermo, in third place, could clinch one of the berths in the Champions League. The candidature of modest teams like Catania, Atalanta and Livorno is likely to fade as the competition intensifies and enters its crucial phase before the Easter period.

On the other hand, one still expects Milan and Fiorentina to climb up the ladder and if they manage to thread a winning streak and perhaps sign a couple of utility players in the January transfer window, then everything is still possible.

Serie A statistics

1 draw and three defeats are all Chievo have to show from their four Serie A home fixtures against Fiorentina. On Sunday, Fiorentina left it late to overcome Chievo for the third year running. Fiorentina's second win on the trot coincided with Chievo's first defeat after a draw and back-to-back wins against Udinese and Livorno. Reggina enhanced their chances of staying up as they edged fellow strugglers Ascoli 2-1. This was Ascoli's third straight away defeat and their second setback in as many visits to Reggina.

2 penalties were awarded by referees last weekend. Massimo Oddo was among Lazio's heroes as he converted a 53rd-minute penalty to double his side's lead. Elsewhere, Alberto Gilardino had a golden opportunity to steal it for Milan as he stepped up to take a penalty in the dying moments of their home fixture against Torino. However, the ex-Parma hit-man's shot hit the upright to add more woes to a disappointing season. There was only one red-carded player - Siena's Abdoulay Konko. So far, Fiorentina have neither had penalties in favour nor against. Inter and Roma possess the most prolific attack with 32 goals whereas Lazio and Empoli, having conceded just 13 goals, have the best defensive record.

3 draws for Sampdoria in their most recent three home fixtures vs Siena. With last week's draw, Samp have extended their positive streak to two games whereas Siena are now winless in their last six outings (three draws and three defeats). Lazio annihilated rivals Roma 3-0 to revive their chances of booking a UEFA Cup berth. This was Lazio's first win in a derby as hosts since the 3-1 success on January 6, 2005. As for Roma this was their first league upset after a run of six straight wins.

4th straight defeat for Messina as they were floored by Atalanta 3-2. For the record, this was Atalanta's third win in four Serie A home fixtures vs Messina. The only time the southerners left Bergamo with a win was on November 29, 1964 (1-0). Palermo returned to winning ways after a barren run of two consecutive defeats and a goalless draw as they overcame Livorno 3-0. This was Palermo's first home win over Livorno since October 3, 1948 (4-2). Daniele Arrigoni's Livorno have now gone three successive games without a win - one draw and two straight defeats.

8th league win in a row for undisputed leaders Inter as they handed Empoli a second straight defeat, following the 0-1 away upset at Torino. Substitute Alvaro Recoba was Roberto Mancini's winning card. He created havoc to Empoli's rearguard and turned the tide in favour of Inter. Cagliari-Parma was the most boring game in the weekend's fixtures as both teams seemed happy with a goalless draw. UEFA Cup hopefuls Parma have last conquered Sardinia in March 2000 (3-2).

11 years had to pass for Milan and Torino to share the spoils again at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. After a poor first half, both sides, particularly Torino, stepped up several gears and did their utmost to claim all points at stake. The clearest scoring opportunity came for the hosts as they missed a penalty 12 minutes from time. However, Torino could have won it in injury time as substitute Roberto Muzzi saw two efforts from close range hitting the post. Had Torino chalked up their second away win of the term (following the 2-1 success at Atalanta), then it would have been their first in Milan since March 24, 1985 (1-0). Torino are unbeaten in their last four outings (three straight wins and a draw). If further evidence was needed that Catania are the surprise package of the season, then Sunday's home win over Udinese, which propelled them to fourth place, provided ample proof. The defeat confirmed Udinese's truly dire record in Catania, where they have won only once - 2-0 on January 22, 1984 - in five Serie A visits.

19 goals were scored on the 15th day: 12 coming from the hosts and the remaining seven from the visitors. Total number of goals scored so far is 368. Palermo's Fabio Simplicio grabbed the only brace of the weekend as the southerners trounced Livorno 3-0 at their Renzo Barbera stadium. Arturo Di Napoli was the only substitute who scored. Despite the fact that both Christian Riganò (Messina) and Francesco Totti (Roma) were not on target for their respective teams, these two players still top the goalscorers' list with nine goals each. They are closely followed by Jonathan Spinesi (Catania), Carvalho Amauri (Palermo) and Rolando Bianchi (Reggina)... all on the eight-goal mark. Inter are the only top division side still undefeated whereas struggling Ascoli are still in search of their first win of the term.