A derby that is worth more than the Capital. The 169th challenge between Rome and Lazio (at 18 pm) offers very heavy points that go far beyond the simple supremacy of the city, however very important given the rivalry that has always distinguished them. This time, however, the possibility of even fighting for the title is at stake, even net of the less match that both have compared to the others. Whoever wins launches the challenge to the Napoli-Juventus-Inter trio, whoever loses resigns himself, perhaps, to fighting only for the Champions League area: in short, never before has the derby in the Capital promised endless tension. I want to do everything to win the derby – commented Di Francesco. – Before a match I will never ask my players to bet even money.
We will fight for the three points, paying attention to Lazio's restarts but we won't distort ourselves". “It's not a match like the others – replied Inzaghi. – We will have to have race, grit and determination. We face a high quality team”. Both coaches have to deal with two very heavy training doubts: Nainggolan for Roma, Immobile for Lazio. Fundamental players but not at their best, that's why the reserves will only be dissolved close to the match. “Radia can play at 80% but I'll only decide at the last minute – explained Di Francesco. – However, the choice will not affect the form”. Which will be, as usual, 4-3-3, without the usual Schick (still out of the squad list) but with Alisson in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defence, Nainggolan (or Pellegrini), De Rossi and Strootman in midfield, El Shaarawy, Dzeko and Perotti in attack. “Immobile is feeling a bit of the problem he had accused on the eve of the match against Udinese – confirmed Inzaghi-. Yesterday the problem came back. We will evaluate, there are hopes, we will see how he will react ”. The idea, of course, is to force him to deploy him from the start in the biancoceleste 3-4-2-1 with Strakosha in goal, Bastos, De Vrij and Radu in defense, Marusic, Parolo, Lucas Leiva and Lulic in midfield, Milinkovic Savic and Luis Alberto on the trocar, otherwise it will be Nani who varies on the front of attack. An unmissable derby, in every sense: because this time teasing would only be the lesser of evils.
