Derby della Capitale Preview: Roma v. Lazio

Stadio Olimpico will be boiling this Sunday as Lazio and Roma go head-to-head in the Eternal City for the season’s first Derby della Capitale.

Things look a little different this season. High flying Lazio are 14 points ahead of their struggling city rivals, who are frighteningly close to the relegation zone. Is the balance of power shifting in Rome?

The fierce rivalry between the teams makes this fixture one of the most anticipated games in Italy as more than the bragging rights are at stake. Never mind the Scudetto, beating the rivals is the foremost priority for all Romanisti and Laziali.

The formbook goes out the window on nights like these and all three points are up for grabs. The winners will be the team that shows the most character on Sunday.

Emotions steer the path and honor is at stake—in other words, it’s personal.

ROMA

Disastrous is the way to describe Roma this season. Ten goals produced and eighteen conceded. Totti was back in the scoresheet on Roma’s last outing against Bologna, but unfortunately—so was Cicinho.

After the impressive win over Chelsea in the midweek Champions League clash, three points looked likely on their following trip to Bologna as their long-awaited turnaround seemed to be in the cards.

Cicinho’s unfortunate own goal in the stoppages saved Mihajlovic's debut but the Giallorossi remained in 17th place in the league—only one point shy of the relegation spots.

De Rossi is ready for the derby despite having picked up a wrist injury in training on Thursday. The defensive midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in Roma thus far and his participation against Lazio is one of most importance for Spalletti.

Cicinho, Taddei, Baptista, and Okaka all failed to take part of Thurday’s training and remain uncertain for Sunday night’s derby.

Goalkeeper Doni sustained a head injury against Bologna, but the Brazilian is out of danger and is expected to start against Lazio. Playmaker David Pizarro is sitting out his suspension and Aquilani is ruled out due to a thigh injury.

Roma can make amends with a win against Lazio and get the mentality boost they so desperately need whereas a defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals would not only be a devastating blow to the club but also make life extremely difficult for the players.

Possible Starting XI: (4-4-2) – Doni; Panucci, Juan, Mexes, Cassetti; Perrotta, De Rossi, Brighi, Menez; Vucinic, Totti

LAZIO

Lazio managed to pick up their third consecutive win on their trip to Siena and confidence will be high. An astonishing fact is that Lazio has collected more points now than when they reached the halfway mark last season.

Their renewed team spirit has been the key to their impressive start and the Biancocelesti are sitting proudly in fourth place.

Mauro Zarate scored his seventh goal of the season against Siena with a free kick Del Piero would have been proud of. Rossi can largely thank their hitman for the club’s impressive offense, as Lazio are the team having scored the most amounts of goals thus far.

The first half of the game against Siena looked anything but promising, but after Rocchi came on after the half time mark Lazio got down to business. Zarate’s free kick stunner was followed by a double from Rocchi and the Biancocelesti returned home with three new points.

Lazio don’t have too many injury worries as only Firmani, Matuzalem, and Manfredini look to miss out on the derby action.

Rossi is to employ a trident attack consisting of Zarate, Rocchi, and Pandev according to recent reports as Lazio look to be pegging the league’s best offense against one of the league’s worst defense.

A positive result in the derby will be the icing on the cake for what already looks to be a very promising season for the blue side of the capital.

Possible Starting XI: (4-3-3) – Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozehnal, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Brocchi; Pandev, Rocchi, Zarate