High-flying Roma was brought crashing back down to earth last weekend by bitter cross-town rival Lazio, which easily won the Roma derby, 3-0. The loss, the Gialorossi's first in eight games, leaves
Roma seven points behind undefeated league leader Inter Milan, and a point ahead of third-place Palermo. Coach Luciano Spalletti was defiant in defeat, saying his team has every reason to remain
positive despite the heavy loss. "We made no mistakes against Lazio," said Spalletti. "We controlled the opening half and we were surprised by their first goal...It's always in difficult times when a
team must show their worth. I have more conviction than ever, we must believe in ourselves." Meanwhile, Inter's 3-0 victory away to Empoli marked the team's 8th consecutive win, a new club record. "Of
course, we are proud to have reached this achievement," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini. "But in the end it means little if we don't win the Scudetto at the end of the season. We are dominating the
campaign but we must continue to work hard." Inter has a good opportunity to move even further ahead in the Serie A standings next weekend, as Roma faces a tough challenge against third-place Palermo,
while Inter meets Messina at home.
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