Roma vs. Lazio: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Rome Derby
The Derby della Capitale is a temperamental affair at the best of times, but this season there's an extra edge to it because Roma and Lazio are currently second and third in the table.
Depending on how results go, there could be a huge shift in the classification. And though the meeting of Rome's two clubs is always one of the calcio season's most anticipated affairs, rarely has it meant so much. In fact, only four times in its history has the derby come at a time when both clubs were in contention for a Champions League place: 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2007.
Napoli also host Juventus at the weekend, so a win for the Giallorossi could see them grab top spot if the Partenopei beat Max Allegri's Bianconeri. A home win at the San Paolo would also put Rafa Benitez's side in third if Roma beat their local rivals.
Here are some of the most likely factors to influence events at the Stadio Olimpico this Sunday.
Roma Need a New Plan Without Gervinho
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Rudi Garcia is without both Gervinho and Seydou Keita, as the pair are currently training with their respective national teams for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Keita has been a useful player for the Giallorossi this term, but with Kevin Strootman recovering well after his long-term absence, the Malian shouldn't be too great a loss for the derby as Garcia still has Daniele De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan and Miralem Pjanic.
The big loss, from a Roma perspective, is Gervinho. The 27-year-old's electric pace has been crucial to Roma's success over the last 18 months, and without him the Lupi will have to alter their game plan slightly.
Current top scorer Adem Ljajic is comfortable on both flanks and Alessandro Florenzi's energy will be useful on the right, but Gervinho's temporary departure could also make room in the squad for Juan Iturbe.
After taking the league by storm last season with Hellas Verona, but the young Argentine has found first-team opportunities limited in the capital. Now is the perfect time for him to make an impact, and similar to what Ljajic has done in recent weeks, convince his manager that he deserves to start regularly.
Will Adem Ljajic Play?
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Roma's top scorer this season is a doubt for the derby, having suffered a knock in the previous round against Udinese.
The young Serbian was originally thought to have sustained serious damage but scans later revealed that it was just bruising to the knee, as reported here by football-italia.co.uk.
"Trigoria, 1/8/15: Maicon and Uçan trained separately, whilst Ljajic had a gym and physio session #ASRoma
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) January 8, 2015"
Even if he's fit, however, Garcia might choose to rest the young Serbian in favour of Alessandro Florenzi and Juan Iturbe behind Francesco Totti in the main striker role.
With both Totti and Miralem Pjanic on the field, the Giallorossi will have more than enough creativity, and the pace and industry of Iturbe and Florenzi could be more useful behind their captain up front.
How Will Lazio Cope Without Senad Lulic?
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Recently, it's been the player on the other wing, Felipe Anderson, who's been making headlines for Lazio, but no one is more important to Stefano Pioli than Senad Lulic and news of his injury comes as a huge blow to the Aquile.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, reported here in Italian, the Bosnian has a problem with his left knee and will be out for at least 40 days.
Only Stefan de Vrij and Marco Parolo have played more this term than Lulic, and the 28-year-old's creativity will be sorely missed.
There's also a psychological edge to the news, because Lulic famously scored the winning goal in the 2013 Coppa Italia final between these two sides.
Losing such a key derby hero on the eve of arguably their biggest game this season will be tough on Lazio, but it will come as a huge boost to Roma supporters, who are still traumatised by his 71st-minute goal 19 months ago.
Daniele Orsato Will Be Crucial
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Certain sections of football's fanbase—and the media—tend to be unfairly critical of referees. They do a thankless job, often in difficult circumstances, and despite the physical and psychological pressures involved they're expected to be totally infallible every time they take to the pitch.
For some games, however, the ref's performance deserves to come under scrutiny because it can be absolutely make or break, and for this Rome derby Daniele Orsato will need to be at his best.
The 39-year-old from Vicenza is an experienced referee at continental level and no stranger to confrontation. He's famous in Italy for twice sending Jose Mourinho to the stands when the Portuguese was on the Inter bench, and he'll need to stamp his authority on this game early on.
That said, past derbies have been ruined by card-happy officials, and both sides will be hoping that Orsato can control tensions without resorting to breaking up play unnecessarily.
The last 12 derbies have seen 16 red cards—seven for Roma and nine for Lazio—but with both sides capable of playing attractive, attacking football, hopefully this can be a game remembered for the quality of football on display rather than the referee's whistle.
Can Roma's Defence Control Felipe Anderson?
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Lazio's Felipe Anderson might be Serie A's most in-form player right now. After a slow start to life with the Aquile, the Brazilian has four goals and four assists in his last four games, playing on the right of Stefano Piola's attack, behind Filip Djordjevic.
That means Roma's left-back, most likely Jose Holebas, is going to have to be on top form. The ex-Santos star is a good passer and a threat from distance, and even though he hasn't yet developed into a great crosser, the Giallorossi's centre-backs will also need to watch him closely because if he cuts in and is given space he can be devastating.
Who do you think will win the derby? Let me know on Twitter, @ColliOBrien.
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