Once again Roma and Lazio clashed in the capital and once again the match was filled with drama. A fierce and spirited rivalry, the game played out full of controversy. Two red cards were handed out as Lazio walked away the victor and secured their spot as kings of the capital for the 2011/2012 season.

For the second time this season now have Lazio won the Rome derby but with the advantage of having one more player for most of the game. Roma keeper Maarten Stekelenberg was shown his marching orders and Hernanes converted from the spot. Youngster  Fabio Borini brought his side back minutes following but Stefano Mauri chose a good time to score his first goal of the season and secured three points for Lazio. Credit must be given to Luis Enrique’s men as they continued to battle throughout the game and had it not been for the red card and resulting penalty, the match could have easily gone the way of yellow and red.

For Lazio this result was of the utmost importance. After a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Palermo, Edy Reja attempting to leave his post, and their dismissal from Europe, a run of positive results was needed if Lazio wanted any chance of salvaging the season. After walking out of Florence with a 1-0 victory, the derby win secures that Lazio has found its determination again and are clearly looking forward with hope and passion for success. Thanks to a slip up by Udinese, Lazio currently sit alone in third place. With Udinese and a high flying Napoli nipping on their heels, they will need all the momentum they can to earn that important spot in the Champions League. This victory also marks an important moment for Edy Reja and his men as this is the first time since the 97-98 season, that Roma has failed to earn even a point from the derby. The fans, the team, and the players will all be excited going forward and will need that momentum to stay in third.

Another loss for Roma only adds pressure on Luis Enrique and the new Roma as their rollercoaster year continues. The season started off poorly for the new manager and his “project” as the results weren’t coming, and they never had a run of consistent positive results. During the months of December, January, and going into February it appeared that things had turned the corner and Roma. From December 4^th to February 8^th, Roma lost only 2 games, won 6, and drew another 3. However they have lost 3 of their last 4 games including a 1-0 loss to Siena and 4-1 beat down at the hands of Atalanta. This current loss has only made Enrique’s job that much more uncertain. Both the new ownership and the coach have come under pressure and it is only a matter of time before the ownership will point the finger at Enrique. There have already been reports of Andres Villas-Boas secretly meeting with Roma. Regardless of their validity, reports like this can only add more pressure on the former Barcelona B coach.

After a slight stumble it appears that Lazio have straightened their ship but the roller-coaster season for Roma continues. Currently out of the Europa League spot, another season without European action for Roma simply will not suffice and expect Enrique to be replaced.  The eagle is flying high as the wolf limps along.