Pellegrini’s derby heroics fire Roma past Lazio

LORENZO Pellegrini fired Roma to victory in the derby with Lazio on Sunday, the former captain coming in from the cold with the only goal in a 1-0 win at a boisterous Stadio Olimpico.

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Roman-born Pellegrini lost the captaincy of his boyhood club and was placed on the transfer list over the summer, but he was decisive against Lazio in his first appearance of the season, putting Roma fourth in Serie A on nine points.

Ahead of kickoff, fans unfurled a banner reading “Welcome back, captain" for Pellegrini, who also underwent surgery for an injury to his right thigh in May.

"I never doubted their affection for me and I have a lot of love for them too," Pellegrini told DAZN.

"The one constant is that I love Roma, and as long as I'm here there will never be a day in which I won't give everything for the shirt. I don't know what will happen in the future because life is unpredictable ...

"I was close to leaving and I had no idea in what condition I would be after my injury, but I come back in the derby and scored the winning goal."