Roma Defeats Lazio with Mancini's Header: Controversial Celebrations Spark Debate

Roma wins against Lazio thanks to Gianluca Mancini's header goal. The defender unlocked the match by scoring the winning goal at the 42nd minute, when he was well-served by Dybala from a corner kick. Perfect coordination and the ball in the net for an important victory for the standings and the Champions League race. At the end of the match, the Giallorossi players went to celebrate under the South Curve, among them was the number 23 who decided to celebrate the victory in a way that did not go unnoticed. Once under his fans, Mancini took a sky blue and white flag depicting a rat and waved it. Roma-Lazio 1-0, the Giallorossi triumph in the derby again thanks to Mancini's header. Sparks fly at the end. It is not the first time that a player celebrates with a flag, or a banner containing a taunt or insult towards the rival team. One of these was Massimo Ambrosini, who nearly caused a diplomatic incident with Inter. During the celebration for Milan's seventh Champions League win, the defender displayed a banner that had been passed to him by a fan. It read: 'Stick the championship in your...'. A phrase that sparked controversy after the Inter's title win. Now, Mancini could face two outcomes: the first sees a suspension, the second a fine. For the latter, there is the precedent of Ambrosini who ended up on all the front pages for that gesture. A mistake he himself regretted and paid for out of his own pocket. In fact, the defender had been referred and then fined, with Milan having to apologize to Inter for the incident. The gesture angered Lazio fans even though the former Atalanta player's intentions were not negative. This was stated by Mancini himself to the club's channels after the end of the match: 'I did not mean to offend anyone, I celebrated with my fans and a bit of jesting is understandable. These are intense matches, I took the first flag that was given to me but these are things that end in celebrations without disrespecting anyone. I apologize, but I was very happy to celebrate with my fans.'