Lazio and Roma draw in heated derby clash as Champions League battle intensifies

Soule salvages point for Roma as top-four hopes remain alive in tense capital showdown.

SS Lazio’s Gustav Isaksen in action during the Serie A derby against AS Roma at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, on April 13, 2025. Photo by Giacomo Cosua/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Rome derby delivered tension, passion, and a touch of brilliance, but neither Lazio nor Roma emerged with a decisive edge in the race for Champions League football. The Lazio Roma draw, which ended 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, left both teams frustrated yet still in contention, as the Serie A top-four race tightened further with just a few rounds left in the season.

The result came courtesy of two moments of quality in a match otherwise dominated by gritty midfield battles and high-stakes nerves. Lazio had taken a deserved lead just minutes after the restart, only for Roma’s Matias Soule to fire back with a magnificent equalizer that silenced much of the predominantly Lazio-supporting crowd in the shared stadium.

Lazio squander lead despite early dominance

Marco Baroni’s men began with urgency and control. After a series of near misses in the first half—including a brilliant double save from Roma keeper Mile Svilar—it felt inevitable that Lazio would eventually break the deadlock. And so they did, just two minutes after the interval.

A pinpoint delivery met the forehead of Alessio Romagnoli, a lifelong Lazio fan, who powered home a header that sent the Curva Nord into raptures. It was Romagnoli’s moment, and for Lazio, a gateway to not only city bragging rights but also renewed momentum in the Champions League chase.

Soule strikes to salvage Roma hopes

Roma, however, did not go quietly. Despite trailing and struggling to impose themselves for much of the match, they found their moment of inspiration in the 69th minute. Matias Soule, the Argentine forward enjoying a breakout season, latched onto Alexis Saelemaekers’ pass and unleashed a swerving, curling strike from well outside the area.

The ball struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing just behind the line—a goal confirmed within seconds. Soule's fourth goal of the campaign couldn’t have come at a better time. It preserved Roma's slim hopes of a top-four finish and ensured that Baroni’s Lazio would not leapfrog Juventus just yet.

Post-match reactions reveal mixed emotions

“It’s a shame because the boys gave everything,” said Lazio boss Baroni in his post-match interview with DAZN. “These are the sorts of matches where you need a bit of luck. On the balance of play, we deserved to win, but we’ll take the point.”

The Lazio Roma draw kept Lazio in sixth place, still three points behind Juventus and with much work to do in the final stretch. Roma, meanwhile, remained five points adrift of the top four, but the performance and resilience under Claudio Ranieri’s guidance were praised.

Ranieri, now in his third spell as Roma manager and due to retire at the end of the season, maintained perspective despite his perfect Rome derby record coming to an end.

“I would have liked to have closed my career with another derby win,” Ranieri said. “But that’s football. You get good things and not-so-good things, and you have to learn to accept both.”

Atalanta capitalize in the top-four fight

While Lazio and Roma dropped points, Atalanta made the most of their opportunity earlier in the day. In the lunchtime fixture, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side defeated Bologna 2-0 in Bergamo, ending a three-match losing streak and reasserting themselves as serious Champions League contenders.

Mateo Retegui of Atalanta scores his team’s opening goal past Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia during the Serie A match at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, on April 13, 2025. Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

Mateo Retegui opened the scoring in the third minute with a simple tap-in—his 26th goal of the season in all competitions. Then, in the 21st minute, he turned provider, delivering a precise cross that Mario Pasalic guided home with a clever volley. It was Pasalic’s first Serie A goal since November, and it helped Atalanta claim a vital three points.

“I’m happy because it had been a few months since we last won here,” said Pasalic. “Scoring straight away really helped us because it gives you more freedom to play.”

Fiorentina stumbles as Napoli and Inter stay clear

Elsewhere in the race for Europe, Fiorentina failed to make their mark, settling for a goalless draw against Parma—a result that further opened the door for teams like Atalanta and Lazio. Bologna, too, saw their momentum checked, and though they remain in fifth, their grip on a Champions League spot is now far less secure.

At the top, Inter and Napoli are well clear, with both teams expected to qualify for the Champions League automatically. That leaves just two spots realistically available, making every point in the run-in critical for the likes of Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio, Bologna, and Roma.

Kolasinac injury adds to Atalanta concerns

The only downside for Atalanta was the sight of defender Sead Kolasinac being stretchered off with a knee injury just before half-time. The Bosnian’s season has been plagued by physical setbacks, and his latest issue adds to the club’s growing list of defensive absentees at a crucial time.

Still, Gasperini’s men were all smiles after the final whistle. With four points now separating them from Bologna and a massive confidence boost in their pocket, Atalanta head into the final rounds with renewed belief.

The road ahead: tense weeks for Rome's giants

The Lazio Roma draw leaves both clubs on the outside looking in when it comes to Champions League qualification. Lazio, for all their control on the night, will rue missed opportunities, while Roma can draw comfort from their fightback and the growing influence of young stars like Soule.

Ranieri’s farewell tour continues with plenty still to fight for, and Lazio’s Baroni knows his side will need to be clinical in the remaining matches. With the Serie A calendar heating up, the pressure is only increasing.

Juventus remain vulnerable, and one slip could yet swing the door wide open. But for now, the Rome derby ends with shared spoils and no clear victor—just two determined sides still chasing European glory.