The Roma captain scored in the team's midweek Champions League 3-2 victory at Basle but had to watch today's derby from his television set at home after picking up a red card last weekend.

"We missed Totti and dedicate this victory to him and to those that were unable to play today," said Ranieri.

"I am very happy because we've played a great game.

"My players were wonderful.

"After our victory away from home at Basle in the Champions League, now we've taken another away victory at Lazio."

Roma pushed Inter Milan until the final weekend last season and Ranieri was hailed for the job he did in his first year as the club's coach.

The new campaign started very badly for Roma, however, and some fans were even calling for Ranieri to be sacked.

He has turned Roma's season around and is extremely excited by the way his players are performing.

"I'm very happy for all the Roman fans that have stood by us in difficult times this season," said Ranieri.

"We played with intelligence and the team is improving.

"We had problems at the start of the campaign but we are going in the right direction."

Lazio coach Edy Reja did not taste victory in his biggest game of the season but the Biancoceleste nevertheless have remained in first place.

They are two points clear of AC Milan in Serie A after the Rossoneri won 3-2 at Bari.

Reja was incensed by the refereeing today at the Stadio Olimpico after Roma earned two penalties that were converted by Marco Borriello and Mirko Vucinic.

"The game was conditioned by the refereeing decisions," said Reja, whose team lost for the first time since August 29.

"With Roma leading 1-0, we were denied a penalty and then with regards to Julio Baptista's penalty that he won, he had previously committed a foul on a Lazio player."

Reja is already looking forward to the next time his team faces Roma.

"I'm sure we will avenge this defeat when we face each other again," he said.