Lazio boss Stefano Pioli praised his team's character as they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Rosenborg despite being reduced to 10 men after just six minutes.
Mauricio was dismissed early on when he was caught out as the last defender after allowing the ball to slip under his boot, leaving the visitors with a one-man advantage for 84 minutes.
However, although Rosenborg hit the post twice in the first period, Alessandro Matri and Felipe Anderson scored either side of the half-time interval to give the Italians a 2-0 lead.
Alexander Soderlund's header gave Rosenborg hope but Antonio Candreva scored a third after his initial penalty had been saved to leave Pioli beaming about their spirit in adversity.
"When you start a game you do not think the chances of staying with 10 so soon," he told the Lazio Style Channel.
"They are errors that, in our situation, they weigh much. These things must be avoided.
"The boys have put in a good performance, I am very satisfied with what they have managed to put in place -- spirit, grit and meanness."
It was a seventh win out of seven for the Biancocelesti at the Stadio Olimpico in all competitions this season and Pioli was delighted to see his men sample more home comforts.
"Playing at home and winning in front of our fans, which I hope for more and more, is one of our goals," he said. "The Olympic is our fortress."