It is that time again when the capital becomes a cauldron and the cities two biggest clubs collide as Lazio and Roma do battle in the Derby della Capitale.
The Biancocelesti have won the last three successive derbies and you would think that a victory for the ‘home’ side is on the cards, but things never quite work out as planned in this fixture.
If i Lupi are to emerge with the win then, what must be done to try and ensure this victory? Let’s find out…
1. Start the hometown talents
Do not just take my word for it that it is absolutely essential to have players out there who are fans of the club, Roman city boys who know exactly what this fixture means to the people in the stands.
“For me, this game is very important because I am from this city and I feel connected to this game more than players who are not from here, although I know they will be just as fired up as me,” are the words of Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi.
He is right that even those not from the capital will undoubtedly still give their best, but it is also true that in a fixture like this, having men from the city who will give absolutely everything out on that pitch to secure victory in a fixture that will mean that little bit more to them.
After all, were they not out on the field, then they would likely be standing in the Curva with the rest of the support, so it is key to have players like that on the pitch.
Captain Francesco Totti, ‘Capitano Futuro’ Daniele De Rossi and the man who could someday be next in line after him, Florenzi, should all line up from the beginning on Monday night although do not expect defender Alessio Romagnoli as he has not done so since his goalscoring debut against Genoa almost a month ago.
2. Give Lamela a free role
This is something that may be dictated by necessity rather than coach Aurelio Andreazzoli choosing to do so, but it does seem the best way to go in terms of securing the victory at the Olimpico.
Pablo Osvaldo’s booking in Palermo last weekend means that he is suspended for this clash while Mattia Destro remains on the injury list for the Giallorossi, meanwhile Nico Lopez is also a doubt through injury.
This means that the only real option would be to give Totti the lone attacking role and free up space for Erik Lamela to roam freely.
With Totti in attack, they would be guaranteed someone more than capable of holding the ball up and bringing the likes of Lamela into play as well as being a danger himself in front of goal as he looks for his ninth goal in this fixture.
The Argentine meanwhile, has always looked most dangerous when he comes in from the right hand side to take on the ball and make the magic happen with games against AC Milan, Palermo and Genoa this season in particular standing out as games when he did so and caused serious problems.
If he is given the freedom to do so once more, he can hurt Lazio as he did earlier in the season.
3. Pin Lazio’s full-backs in their own half
One of Lazio’s stengths is the ability they have always had to play attacking football through their width and getting their full-backs forward, something that has been no different under Vladimir Petkovic.
Bruno Pereirinha and Senad Lulic will likely be those occupying the starting spots out wide for the Aquile and if Roma can keep them from getting forward as often as they would hope to and ensure their own wing-backs can push forward then it could go some way to helping the victory.
Lazio are one of those teams who are strong all over the field, but the trickery of the former Sporting Lisbon man and the pace of Lulic in wide areas could pose problems for a team who have looked increasingly worrisome defensively out wide this campaign.
Vasilis Torosidis, should he play, would be vital in forcing Lulic back into his own half while also getting forward himself and even at this early stage, the Greek already looks capable of producing some of the finest final balls in the division.
This would of course mean playing a 4-5-1 formation which would perhaps be more effective although in reality it seems most likely they will line out in a 3-5-2.
4. Play Perrotta to take out Hernanes
While many thought that Simone Perrotta’s Roma career was finished after stalling massively under Zdenek Zeman at the start of the season, it has now been revitalised thanks to Andreazzoli.
In games like this, his experience will be crucial especially alongside young players like Florenzi, Lamela, Marquinho, Marquinhos and Panagiotis Tachtsidis should he play.
Alongside these men, he will be a steady head in the middle of the park, but he is also a player whose positioning and presence could see him do an excellent if unspectacular job in keeping Hernanes quiet.
The Brazilian admittedly has not quite been at his best in recent weeks, but there is no doubting his ability to bring his ‘A’ game on the big stages and if the World Cup winner can keep him subdued, they will be nullifying one of Lazio’s biggest threats considering Miroslav Klose, Sergio Floccari and Andre Dias all miss out.
5. Capitalise on any Cana uncertainty
In massive games such as these, any slight weak link in your team can be the difference between victory and defeat and La Magica would be wise to note that for Lazio, that man could potentially be Lorik Cana.
Traditionally a midfielder, the ex-Sunderland man looks set to take the place of Dias at the heart of the defence and although he is capable of filling in there, it is not his natural position.
He has featured much more in the team of late, but has nonetheless started just seven Serie A games this season and has not always been a sure-fire starter.
This could mean there are potential jitters for the centre-back at being thrown in for such a massive game in an electric atmosphere coming up directly against a man in fine form in Totti while playing out of position.
If there is any uncertainty in the Albanian’s performance, you can be sure that Er Pupone and co. will capitalise on any mistakes that he may make.
For more information on both Roma and Lazio ahead of the Derby della Capitale, listen to the Forza Italian Football Club Focus Podcast.
