Derby della violence! Roma’s Edoardo Bove is hit by a bottle during Coppa Italia quarter-final loss to Lazio, as bitter rival fanbases launch flares at each other before kick-off… with three players later sent off – and another Jose Mourinho red card too
- Roma and Lazio faced each other in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening
- The match was marred by crowd problems before kick-off and during the match
- How much humble pie can Jordan Henderson eat? It all starts
Lazio and Roma fans were involved in violent clashes ahead of the Coppa Italia quarter-final on Wednesday evening before trouble continued throughout the match.
The arch-rivals faced off at the Stadio Olympico, with Lazio ultimately winning 1-0 after an ill-tempered match that saw three players sent off.
However, trouble broke out before the match started, with supporters from both sides throwing flares and fireworks at each other.
Footage captured on social media shows the rockets being launched into the stadium by both groups of fans before being thrown back, forcing police to intervene.
Supporters could also be heard directing chants at each other, with several loud bangs sounding as the aforementioned fireworks exploded.
Lazio and Roma fans were involved in violent clashes before the Coppa Italia quarter-final
Supporters of the bitter rival fanbases began throwing flares and fireworks at each other
Loud explosions were heard in the Stadio Olympico as the fireworks exploded
Lazio player Alessio Romagnoli holds a flare that was thrown onto the pitch during the match
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Roma and Lazio flags were held aloft and waved during the clashes, but players continued to warm up on the pitch as the disturbances continued.
The drama didn’t stop after kick-off, however, as Mattia Zaccagni scored the only goal of the match for Lazio after a controversial penalty, infuriating Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
When Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove was substituted in the 76th minute, he was targeted by Lazio fans, with a beer bottle hitting the 21-year-old on the back of the head.
Pedro was then sent off in injury time after receiving two yellow cards for Lazio, before Roma’s Sardar Azmoun was sent off for hitting Nicolo Rovella on the back of the head.
His teammate Gianluca Mancini was sent off after the final whistle for insulting referee Daniele Orsato, while Mourinho also received his marching orders for the second game in a row.
Police were forced to intervene full-time again when a Lazio fan tried to taunt Roma supporters.
It was an ill-tempered match with three red cards handed out by referee Daniele Orsato
Jose Mourinho also received his marching orders and was left fuming at Lazio’s penalty
Police are forced to restrain a Lazio fan who tried to taunt full-time Roma fans
Mattia Zaccagni’s goal made the difference and ensured Lazio progressed to the semi-finals
Ahead of the match – dubbed the Derby della Capitale – former West Ham and current Lazio star Felipe Anderson outlined how the players were feeling.
Speaking to Lazio Style Radio, he said: ‘The derby is always a match that we have always been very passionate about, we knew there was an opportunity to meet Roma in the Coppa Italia.
‘Every football player likes to participate, it is a match full of intensity and excitement. We are used to playing it. It’s going to be difficult. We have to play with our heart and try to win.’
Lazio will face Juventus or Frosinone in a two-legged semi-final in April, with the two teams facing each other on Thursday.