High noon Capital. The derby between Rome and Lazio (at 12.30) will offer very heavy points for the entire noble area of the standings, with no goals excluded. From leaders Juventus to second-placed Napoli, up to Atalanta, Milan, Inter and Fiorentina, everyone will set their sights on the Olimpico in the hope of bringing their respective dreams closer: this is why, more than ever, Rome will once again have a fundamental importance in Italy football. The challenge between the Giallorossi and the Biancocelesti certainly cannot be defined as unprecedented: we are in the fourth match of the season with those of the Italian Cup, with two Roma victories (0-2 in the first leg in the league and the 3-2, irrelevant, in the Cup) and one from Lazio (the 2-0 which then, on balance, earned the final against Juve). Important precedents, which clarify once more how predicting this challenge is, in fact, almost impossible.
“Second place would be a lot of stuff – thought Spalletti. – I think Juve is impregnable but we still want to reduce the gap in the standings, in any case finishing immediately behind them would be an excellent result. A derby is always beautiful, everything to be enjoyed. I expect a defensive Lazio like the other times, which will create various problems for us. Inzaghi really did a great job." Compliments addressed to the Biancoceleste coach are obligatory, perhaps the revelation of the whole championship. His team, which started amid general skepticism, is fourth in the standings and in the final of the Italian Cup, but Simone certainly doesn't want to stop there. “It's not true that we are serene and relaxed because we have already hit Europe – his comment. – Roma are favorites but we are ready to put them in difficulty, they will be angry about the last match in the Cup but I think my boys are ready”. In an armored city (almost simultaneously there will also be the eagerly awaited mass of Pope Francis, returning from his delicate trip to Egypt), Rome and Lazio will face off to the best of their ability, as befits a derby. Spalletti will opt for the classic 4-2-3-1 with Szczesny in goal, Rudiger, Fazio, Manolas and Emerson in defence, De Rossi and Strootman in midfield, Salah, Nainggolan and El Shaarawy in the trocar behind lone striker Dzeko. 3-4-2-1 for Simone Inzaghi just like in the Italian Cup, with Strakosha in goal, Bastos, De Vrij and Wallace in the back, Basta, Parolo, Biglia and Lulic in the midfield, Keita and Milinkovic-Savic supporting Building in attack.
