All eyes are set Sunday evening under the lights of the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio face Roma in the second edition of the Derby della Capitale this season.
It was Roma whom triumphed within the reverse fixture as boyhood central midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini opened the score-line with a sublime screamer and Alexis Saelemaekers stunning the Biancocelesti with a unanswered goals within a span of seven minutes, clinching all three points as well as all the bragging writes across the Italian capital.
Whilst plenty is at stake as Roma are two points behind Lazio and the two Romanese clubs find themselves well within reach of clinching a Champions League qualifying spot, Andrea Di Carlo of Il Romanista previewed the highly anticipated derby in an exclusive interview.
Di Carlo was first asked about key factors that Roma must implement if they intend on seizing a significant win:
“Roma will undoubtedly have to take advantage of the physical factor, given that Lazio are coming from the costly and draining trip to Norway, they played an intense match on a difficult, synthetic pitch and in adverse weather.And the Giallorossi are coming in better from a mental point of view, because the defeat in the Europa League can put even more pressure on the Biancocelesti.”
In addition, Di Carlo was asked to provide his insight on what has changed within this Giallorossi side under Claudio Ranieri as they have last lost a match back on the 15th of December in a 2-1 defeat to Como and have since then found impeccable form, maintaining a 15-game unbeaten streak within the Serie A:
“Ranieri has restored confidence to a group that had lost self-esteem and conviction.Arriving in Trigoria with great humility, he has given confidence to the team, changed little from a tactical point of view but eliminated any type of hierarchy, always giving confidence to those who, during training, gave the best indications.In 2025, no team has earned more points than Roma and it is the great merit of Ranieri.The Champions League remains a mirage, the calendar is very difficult but the Giallorossiwill try until the end.”
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
