More than anything else, it will be the yellow and red desire for revenge that will animate the 157th edition of the Capitoline derby, scheduled for Monday in Rome's own "home". Given the recent disappointing results of both teams in the league (but at least Lazio are still in the cup race), there isn't much else at stake other than a place in the Europa League or at most an obsolete city record. Milan's third place is too far away at the moment, and with Inter and Fiorentina better placed.
It starts again from the three consecutive victories of Lazio in the last three matches between 2011 and 2012, in particular from that daring 3-2 for the biancocelesti of 11 November last, when under the downpour Zeman's men (the Bohemian was still in bench) they had Lamela's 1-0 comeback from goals by Candreva, Klose and Mauri. Those protagonists will be on the pitch again, while Petkovic will find Andreazzoli on the bench and not even the highly contested Osvaldo, disqualified and increasingly separated at home, will not be in the match.
Other ideas: the return of Mattia Destro after two months, the week of fire for the eagles who will immediately return to the Europa League with Fenerbahce and then Juventus in the league, and above all the Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti on the hunt for yet another record. In fact, after beating Nordahl's, Pupone wants to take the one of best scorer in the derbies, which currently sees him in second place with 8 goals behind the Da Costa-Delvecchio couple with 9. But after all, not even Totti has more to ask: he is already the absolute record holder of derbies played (35) and won (12).
For the record, referee Mazzoleni (positive balance with both teams) and once again, albeit weak, there is the risk of rain. But Zeman is no longer on the Giallorossi bench, so this eventuality shouldn't be the subject of much debate. Debates that instead, as always, enliven bars and meeting places in the city based on the forecast, more balanced than ever. For bookmakers, however, Rome is the favourite, which Snai, in line with other brokers, pays twice the stake, while a draw and a victory for Lazio are quoted at 2.
