Serie A, Week 31: Roma and Lazio draw in testy Rome Derby

Hernanes scored a wonderful opening goal in the first half though missed a penalty in the second, shortly before conceding the spot-kick with allowed Francesco Totti to level the scores. When Lazio’s Giuseppe Biava was sent off in the second half, Roma took control, though an excellent performance from Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti kept the scores level.

As if you needed reminding of the bad blood between the Rome rivals, the match’s build-up was marred by clashes between the fans -- not like the game needed even more tension before a ball had even been kicked.

Shaun Best: Well, Lazio have gone from 2nd to slush and Roma have gone from a disorganised mess to somewhat organised. Competing on three fronts with a thin squad has taken its toll.

Jack Sargeant: Thin squad or not very good squad? Other than Hernanes and Klose (maybe Marchetti), they’re not really great.

Inter were beginning to dominate possession however Atalanta poured forwards every time they got the ball, and Davide Biondini fired over following a counter-attack.

On the half-hour mark, the one thing Inter didn’t want to happen happened. Antonio Cassano pulled up with a hamstring problem and despite having it heavily strapped, had to come off soon after, leaving Inter with Tommaso Rocchi as their only fit senior striker. Ricky Alvarez was introduced in place of Cassano and was right in the thick of it, arriving late at the far post unmarked, but his side-footed volley was shinned and ended up out for a throw-in.

It wasn’t total Napoli domination, with Genoa testing De Sanctis with a couple of efforts of their own. Napoli wanted the third goal to put the game beyond doubt, though it wasn’t to be. In the end it was a fairly comfortable victory, though their failure to take their opportunities when they came could have cost them on another day.

Goals: Pandev 18 (N) Džemaili 29 (N)

Ten minutes before the break, Palermo hit the front, albeit rather fortuitously. Von Bergen got to the byline to meet Miccoli’s free kick ahead of a hesitant Romero and caught the ball with his studs. The spin on the ball turned it back towards goal and finished in the net.

Sampdoria levelled two minutes before the break. Munari rose highest from a corner and cashed in with a free header.

After the hour Emeghara sliced another shot wide, looking easily the most dangerous player on the pitch -- despite his dreadful composure. The ever-entertaining Sansone tried to animate things for Parma, though with 15 minutes remaining he skipped past a couple of defenders before curling a long-range shot narrowly wide.

Instead, the elefanti found themselves frustrated by the visitors, who came to Sicily intent on reaching an unbeaten run of four games. Catania actually managed to get in quite a few shots, but the majority of those were speculative, sent in from outside the area and not even coming close to reaching their target. The first shot on goal, from either side, came in the 37th minute, when Mariano Izco got on the end of a ball from Giovanni Marchese to force a save from Michael Agazzi.

Cagliari wasted a great chance shortly thereafter, when Victor Ibarbo cut back and Matias Cabrera, on for the injured Francesco Pisano, came charging forward. The Uruguayan didn’t even come close, however. And thus ended the half, with the Sardinians getting just three shots in 45 minutes.

Six minutes before half time, Tomovic was given a controversial red for striking El Shaarawy with an arm. The defender was slightly ahead of his opponent when the ball was played forward and was reacting to a natural movement. Despite a swarm of purple shirts, the referee stood by his decision. More bad luck struck for the hosts right on half time, when Jovetic suffered a recurrence of his thigh injury and had to be withdrawn.

Fiorentina: Viviano; Roncaglia, Tomovic, Savic, (Compper 30) Pasqual; Aquilani, Pizarro, Borja Valero; Cuadrado, Jovetic, (Romulo 45) Ljajic (Migliaccio 82)

To take a win, Beppe Iachini’s side have to overturn a disappointing record against the gialloblu in recent years, having not beaten Parma since 2008. In a coincidental reversal of the current situation, that season it was Siena who cruised to a comfortable mid-table finish, while Parma were sent down to Serie B.

Siena Injuries and Suspensions

Whether the result of a rousing Stefano Pioli team talk or otherwise, Bologna made a bright start to the second half. Saphir Taïder drilled a shot narrowly over the bar from the edge of the area, before Gilardino failed to convert a Diamanti cross. Eventually, just after the hour, they had the goal their play had warranted.

However, it was Toro who had the next great chance to win the game, after the ball came to Jonathas inside the box with eight minutes remaining. Lashing at the ball, he fired wide of the far post, missing a great chance to earn three points for his side. He would be punished.

He said: “Stevan told me he’s ready to play, but we’ll see what sensations we get from his training session. It’s great for a coach to see everyone so eager to take part, but we’ll run no risks. If he’s fit then he’ll play, but if not then he won’t.

”This game is important for our ambitions and for the entire campaign: we have to win. We are still in the running for Europe and that makes this encounter with Milan crucial, although it’s not yet an ‘in or out’ match.

This weekend’s match follows the Old Lady’s first defeat in Champions League play, a 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Juventus are going to be upset and they’re going to look to take it out on an innocent bystander. Plus, Pescara, you’re coming to their home. If they scored six against you at the Adriatico, how many will land in the back of the net in Turin?

Do Pescara even have enough players to field a full squad and three substitutes? Maybe they can legitimately pull out of this match.

Bologna Injuries and Suspensions

Diego Pérez (injured); Marco Motta (suspended)