So we are two days away from the latest edition of the Derby della Capitale, the fiercest and finest footballing contest on the peninsula.
Expect plenty of gladiatorial images being mustered by various media outlets between now and Sunday lunch time, as we prepare for a match which will once again be hugely influential on both sides’ seasons.
Lazio fans have been both optimistic and pessimistic ahead of Sunday’s encounter, and this is why:
Reasons to be fearful…
1) It has been quite a couple of weeks in the blue side of Rome, with yet another exasperating January transfer window proving to be the tipping point for large-scale anti-Lotito demonstrations from discontent laziali.
Obviously the majority of this frustration has arisen from the sale of the talismanic ‘Il Profeta’ Hernanes, as the Brazilian international secured a dramatic deadline-day move to Inter after a video of the midfielder leaving Formello in tears went viral the day before.
Hernanes’ insistence that he decided to leave for professional reasons as he felt he achieved all he could at Lazio has dampened spirits somewhat, and the club’s ability only to bring in Helder Postiga and Gael Kakuta has not exactly sent out a message that the Biancoceleste are still a major player in the market.
2) The opposition. Most of you will have realised this already, but as a Lazio fan it has taken me a while to accept it. Roma are actually quite good this year.
With Napoli effectively handing in their resignation as Scudetto contenders in Bergamo on the weekend, the Giallorossi are now the only (albeit distant) threat to the relentless winning machine that is Juventus. Even Gervinho has been good for them.
Gervinho. Although Lazio have been undoubtedly improved under Reja, Garcia’s team are a real threat going forward and could cause a lot of problems for an ageing Lazio backline who are still adjusting to a new system. They will also be desperate to close the gap on Juve, who have begun to pull away at the top of the table in recent weeks.
Reasons to be cheerful!
1) I am determined to remain firmly in the optimist camp and for that reason, there are obviously more positives than negatives ahead of D-Day.
The most obvious first- MAURI is back! What fantastic timing, as the Lazio captain returns from a six-month ban just when his side need him most. He might be a bit rusty, but still a great presence in the changing room at the very least.
2) We have actually been quite good recently, even away from home. Back to back away wins against Udinese and Chievo have ensured that we already have double the amount of away victories as we did in 2013, which is good news.
Add in to the mix a strong performance against Juventus that we were truly unfortunate not to take maximum points from, and you have the makings of a side that has finally found some form and confidence again. It has been a while.
3) Reja’s decision to employ a 3-4-2-1 system, which when first announced was met with plenty of derision, has turned out to be a bit of a masterstroke.
Zio Edy may have found the best system to suit this squad, as the defence has looked more assured with three in the middle and wing backs who can drop back to defend when not in possession as well as provide an attacking threat when Lazio are in control of the ball.
Biglia and Ledesma have begun to form a real understanding in the centre of the park, and Miroslav Klose has looked dangerous again with Antonio Candreva and the wonderful Keita Balde Diao buzzing around in the space behind him.
4) Reja was once known for having a bit of a derby curse, but that curse was lifted in his last season at the club.
Two derby wins out of two in the 2011-12 season suggest that the wily old coach now has the ability to rise to the occasion and his return to the club for a second time, whilst already going well, will be truly celebrated if he can bring another glorious result to the first team of Rome.
Follow Alasdair Mackenzie on Twitter: @olimpiacalcio
