Roger Ibanez played a key role in Roma’s demise in the Derby for a third time. The defender picked up two yellow cards in just 32 minutes Sunday, forcing his side to play with a one-man disadvantage for more than an hour, considering the added time. José Mourinho subbed off Paulo Dybala to insert Diego Llorente at half-time to restore their defense, which raised eyebrows.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Lazio Curva mocked the center-back when he walked off the pitch. They started chanting: “Ibanez, one of us.” The mistake further added to his checkered resume in the crosstown clashes.
On June 15th, 2021, Manuel Lazzari stripped him of the ball and then glided past him with ease, setting up two goals by Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto and paving the way to a three-nil victory for the Biancocelesti. On November 22nd, 2022, he turned it over in the box. Pedro quickly linked up with Felipe Anderson for the opening goal.
Ibanez reached the milestone of 100th appearances in Serie A Sunday, but he didn’t get to celebrate it. The 23-year-old scored one goal versus Lazio on September 6th, 2021. However, it was an unimpactful one since they were topped 2-3.
Roma will be severely depleted in the back in the first game after the break. On top of the Brazilian, Marash Kumbulla, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante are all suspended. If the Albanian international doesn’t win the appeal against his two-game ban, Mourinho will have to change the scheme or adapt somebody.
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