Zaccagni has Lazio regret against Roma, but ‘must not throw it away’ now

Mattia Zaccagni admits Lazio have ‘regrets’ over their 2-0 Derby della Capitale defeat to rivals Roma, but they ‘mustn’t throw away all we’ve done’ this season.

The Aquile were the favourites going into the Stadio Olimpico this evening, sitting 15 points clear of their cousins in the Serie A table, as well as top of the Europa League standings.

However, Roma surged into a 2-0 lead within the opening 18 minutes with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Alexis Saelemaekers, keeping hold of that result to the end.

“The regrets are above all for the first half when we had the wrong approach and that is something we cannot afford in a derby,” Zaccagni told DAZN.

“Now we must get right back on track, build on the second half performance and raise our heads. We created lots of scoring opportunities, but the goal did not arrive.

“It is disappointing for our fans, who cheered us on right to the end. We’ve got to get back on our feet and not throw away all we’ve done so far this season.”

Zaccagni has Lazio warning

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Roma 2-0 Lazio

Lazio had been a real surprise early in the campaign under new coach Marco Baroni, both in Italy and in the Europa League.

Is it possible that midway through the campaign, they have been studied and ‘found out’ by their opponents?

“Just as we study the other teams, they are bound to study us,” confessed Zaccagni.

“We need to do better with our preventative marking, as these are the details that can decide matches. When you start to win those duels in the middle of the park, you can then build scoring opportunities.

“Looking at the second Roma goal, for example, that was a loose ball that they pounced on.”

Lazio remain fourth in the Serie A standings, even though Juventus and Fiorentina three points behind them have a game in hand.

They are back on the pitch on Friday evening when they host Como, but Zaccagni, Mario Gila and Taty Castellanos will all be suspended.