Romagnoli: Lazio goal in the Rome Derby ‘means so much to me’ | OneFootball

Alessio Romagnoli admits ‘it means so much to me’ to score for his beloved Lazio in the Derby della Capitale against Roma. ‘It really was coming home for me.’

The defender had gone close to opening the scoring in the first few minutes, but was denied by a sensational Mile Svilar save, although he doesn’t necessarily view it that way.

“I didn’t get that one properly, seeing it again, I could’ve done better,” Romagnoli told DAZN.

“It was a very good first half, we should’ve done more after taking the lead, as we sat a bit too deep and lost our shape. After conceding the equaliser, we got back on track and created several big opportunities to win it.

“Unfortunately, this is the derby, it is decided by incidents, so if you don’t take those chances, then you don’t win.”

Lifelong Lazio fan Romagnoli celebrates derby goal

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 13: Alessio Romagnoli of Lazio scores his team’s first goal with a header as Mile Svilar of AS Roma (obscured) fails to make a save during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on April 13, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

When he eventually did break the deadlock by nodding in a Luca Pellegrini free kick, he rushed to the Curva Nord to celebrate with the ultras, then kissed the badge on his jersey.

Both Romagnoli and Pellegrini were lifelong Lazio supporters, despite coming through the Roma youth academy, so scoring in the Derby della Capitale was extra special.

“It means so much to me, I always wanted to come to Lazio, because it really was coming home for me. After many years at Milan, this opportunity arose, and I needed to come back home.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lazio 1-1 Roma

The Biancocelesti are back in action on Thursday evening in the Europa League quarter-final, having lost the first leg 2-0 away to Bodo/Glimt, so have it all to do at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We have to go through and make up for the ugly performance in Norway. Fatigue does not exist, we’ve got to give it everything to turn this around,” concluded Romagnoli.