Such was the headline of Monday's Corriere dello Sport and general feeling among laziale- absolute delirium. This was the first derby I've attended and I'm now quietly starting to consider myself a bit of a lucky charm in the Olimpico, having witnessed two last-minute winners in the two matches I've attended. This was something special though. Having narrowly missed out on the rush for cheap tickets, I found myself left only with the 110 Euro option, Tribuna Monte Mario. Being a poor student I initially considered this too much, but as derby day edged closer I realised this wasn't something I could miss, and took the plunge.
Great decision! After only 4 minutes the Italo-Argentine enigma Osvaldo puts Roma ahead as Andre Dias plays him onside with a delayed attempt at an offside trap. Immediately Roma respond to their lead by going down like they've been shot at the most minimal contact, and Dutch no.1 Stekelenburg takes plenty of time over his goal kicks. Lazio come out fighting for the second half, Lulic's introduction providing a much needed attacking presence down the left flank, replacing the disappointing Radu. Brocchi storms into the box and goes down after contact from Kjaer. Admittedly, the contact is minimal but enough to merit a penalty and, as a result, a red card. Hernanes steps up to calmly place the ball in the bottom left corner. 1-1. Now it's all Lazio, surging forward but unable to make a breakthrough. Klose hits the crossbar from a corner. Cisse is denied a goal of the season contender by the post. The crowd begin to get restless. Is this ever going to happen? Roma occasionally threaten on the break, but spend most of the half behind the ball, looking for the point. With 5 minutes remaining, several fans around me begin to get up and leave, to my horror. They've seen enough to believe it's not our night. Deep into injury time Lazio attack and the ball is cleared. More fans get up to leave, but there's time for one final attack. The ball comes to Matuzalem, who shows fantastic vision by lifting the ball into Klose, who controls well and finishes. The Olimpico erupts, at least one end. I'm hugging strangers; fans are falling over each other. The players sprint to the Curva, the whole scene is filled with colour, noise and emotion. Only calcio could create such a picture, only the Derby della Capitale. As the full-time whistle blows, the players rush to celebrate under the Curva. Reja looks liberated having finally broken his taboo, never beating Roma in his career before. I don't want to leave, and I'm not the only one. I just feel sorry for those who left with five minutes to play.
As I walk back home through the streets of Rome, cars fly past beeping their horns frantically, Lazio flags and scarves waving from the windows. It has been two and a half years since laziale could experience such ecstasy, and all I can think to myself is: I was there.
Now, when's the next game? An agonising ten days to wait before I can again experience the attack to the senses that is the curva in full flow. There's a voice in the back of my head saying 'this could be the start of something really special'. Let's hope so.
FORZA LAZIO!!!
