The Derby: Roma vs Lazio

[King Italy]

The biggest match of the season is here, the Roman Derby between Roma and Lazio, and once again it promises to be a beauty in front of 80,000 at the Olimpico. Ok, the next few posts will be a bit of news leading up to the match cause I am sure we are all keen to hear what has been happening in derby week.

[King Italy]

Nesta: "Difficult to stop Totti" Posted October 26, 2001 - 0:38 by Mattias

Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta believes it will be very difficult to stop Roma's captain and star Francesco Totti in Saturday's derby.

Nesta: "I have to admit that Totti is in a great shape and I believe it will be very difficult to stop him. But I don't want to think about that until Saturday, or else I will be too stressed about it."

Nesta and Totti are the captains of the two teams. Both are born (1976) and raised in Rome, but while Nesta grew up at Lazio, Totti grew up at Roma. Th rivality between the two stars have always been very big but has the past years becomed smaller, as both players have matured

[King Italy]

In this season's first derby 3 players have once played for the other side of town. All three are now at Lazio. Angelo Peruzzi, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Francesco Colonnese are the players who onced wore Roma's jersey.

Peruzzi grew up in Roma's youth teams and made his debut in the Serie A with Roma. In december 1987 he made his debut away against Milan and after have been on loan to Verona he moved away for good from Roma in 1991.

Sinisa Mihajlovic also made his debut in the Serie A with Roma's jersey. It was Roma who bought the Serb defender from Red Star Belgrade. Mihajlovic remained at Roma for two season, without impressing and moved then on to Sampdoria.

Francesco Colonnese has in his carreer played 5 games for Roma. He arrived to Roma from Cremonese in 1994/95 but never got a real chance in the capital until he last season moved to Lazio.

[King Italy]

Former Lazio and Roma coach Zdenek Zeman, now coaching Salernitana in Serie B, speaks about tomorrow's derby. He has been through many derbys, with both sides and for tomorrow he believes Lazio could win.

Zeman: "All derbys were splendid, no matter the result. It's a big party. I am happy when people who come to the stadium have a good time. Of course, the fans of the team that lose get disappointed, but that is something we have to live with."

Zeman about the game of tomorrow: "Neither Roma or Lazio are in a very good moment although Roma is in better shape at the moment. But I think this derby could be the game where Lazio re-borns. Lazio changed a lot and they have needed time to adapt the new players to the game."

[King Italy]

Today Alessandro Nesta and Francesco Totti met each other while they launched a message to all fans ahead of tomorrow's derby. Both players gave their compliments to each other.

Totti: "Nesta is the best defender in the world. I will have to take the opportunity at the few chances I will get. Nesta to Real Madrid? Alessandro is a symbol of Rome and will remain at Lazio forever."

Nesta about Totti: "Totti deserves the Golden Ball. It would be right if he won it. He is conquering that award game after game. I expect the derby to be a very spectacular game with many goals. Let's hope we can win it."

Nesta about his best derby memory: "A derby when we played in the youth teams. Totti was in Roma's team and we were down 0-2. At the end we won 6-2."

Lazio's captain about his future: "I am staying here. I have signed a long contract with Lazio, but what will happen in the future I don't know."

[King Italy]

The referees for this week-end's round were drawn today and for the derby, Graziano Cesari will referee.

Brescia - Venezia: Pieri
Chievo - Torino: Collina
Juventus - Inter: Braschi
Lecce - Atalanta: Bertini
Milan - Bologna: De Santis
Parma - Verona: Saccani
Perugia - Piacenza: Messina
Roma - Lazio: Cesari
Udinese - Fiorentina: Rodomonti

[King Italy]

The TV rights for the Roman derby Roma-Lazio have been sold to more than 200 countries, who will broadcast the game. If not live, depending on time zones, the game will be shown on Sunday.

[King Italy]

Previous clashes of the derby where Roma has been the hosting team in the Serie A.

2000/2001 Serie A 29/04/01 Roma-Lazio 2-2
1999/2000 Serie A 21/11/99 Roma-Lazio 4-1
1998/1999 Serie A 11/04/99 Roma-Lazio 3-1
1997/1998 Serie A 02/11/97 Roma-Lazio 1-3
1996/1997 Serie A 04/05/97 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1995/1996 Serie A 01/10/95 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1994/1995 Serie A 23/04/95 Roma-Lazio 0-2
1993/1994 Serie A 24/10/93 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1992/1993 Serie A 18/04/93 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1991/1992 Serie A 06/10/91 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1990/1991 Serie A 07/04/91 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1989/1990 Serie A 19/11/89 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1988/1989 Serie A 28/05/89 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1984/1985 Serie A 11/11/84 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1983/1984 Serie A 26/02/84 Roma-Lazio 2-2
1979/1980 Serie A 28/10/79 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1977/1978 Serie A 20/11/77 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1975/1976 Serie A 14/03/76 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1973/1974 Serie A 31/03/74 Roma-Lazio 1-2
1972/1973 Serie A 12/11/72 Roma-Lazio 0-1
1966/1967 Serie A 05/03/67 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1965/1966 Serie A 10/10/65 Roma-Lazio 0-1
1964/1965 Serie A 28/03/65 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1963/1964 Serie A 06/10/63 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1959/1960 Serie A 18/10/59 Roma-Lazio 3-0
1958/1959 Serie A 12/04/59 Roma-Lazio 3-0
1957/1958 Serie A 27/10/57 Roma-Lazio 3-0
1956/1957 Serie A 03/03/57 Roma-Lazio 2-2
1955/1956 Serie A 16/10/55 Roma-Lazio 0-0
1954/1955 Serie A 06/03/55 Roma-Lazio 1-3
1953/1954 Serie A 29/11/53 Roma-Lazio 1-1
1952/1953 Serie A 22/03/53 Roma-Lazio 0-2
1950/1951 Serie A 15/10/50 Roma-Lazio 0-1
1949/1950 Serie A 19/02/50 Roma-Lazio 0-0

[King Italy]

AT STAKE

It’s a game like no other, a game that can change an entire season.

AS Roma and SS Lazio face each other on Saturday night in the majestic Stadio Olimpico in what will be the 117th Serie A derby between the two sides of the Tiber.

The Scudetto holders come into this match as clear favourites, but this might not be an advantage for Fabio Capello’s boys as a Murphy’s law overseeing intercity clashes frequently wants the underdogs coming out victorious.

After a difficult start to their season, the Serie A champs have returned on the path to glory thanks to an impressive month of October in which they pompously moved up the Serie A table and also qualified for the second phase of the Champions League. A win on Saturday evening would make this side even more convinced they are the team to beat in Italy.

On their part the Biancolesti have slightly improved their local and European campaigns, but still lack a convincing organization to their game. This would be the perfect game for them to find an identity and re-launch their title aspirations.

FORM GUIDE

AS Roma Last Six Matches

CL Roma-Lokomotiv 2-1
League Juventus-Roma 0-2
League Perugia-Roma 0-0
CL Lokomotiv-Roma 0-1
League Roma-Lecce 5-1
CL Real Madrid-Roma 1-1

The Giallorossi have been on a roll for the past month. Last Sunday their attack, who were having problems netting goals in this initial part of the season, finally turned on as the Roma forwards scored three of the five goals sent home by Capello’s boys against Lecce. In midweek action Roma came away from their Bernabeu clash with a very important 1-1 draw, in which they displayed a good mental attitude and also a fine physical condition.

League position: 5th place, four points behind leaders Chievo Verona.

Lazio Last Six Matches

CL PSV-Lazio 1-0
League Lazio-Parma 0-0
League Lazio-Atalanta 1-0
CL Lazio-PSV 2-1
League Venezia-Lazio 0-0
CL Lazio-Galatasray 1-0

The Biancocelesti played four of their last six clashes on their home turf, and despite offering lackluster performances they have been able to bring home 10 out of the 12 points up for grabs. Their away form has yet to show improvements, however this should not worry them as Saturday night’s game will be played in the Stadio Olimpico.

League Position: 11th place, eight behind leaders Chievo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marco Delvecchio (AS Roma)- The colourful Italy forward has always played well against Lazio, a team which he has already scored seven goals on. He will also be key in creating the right balance between the midfield and the attack in Roma’s more offensive 3-4-1-2 formation.

Fabio Liverani (Lazio)-This will be a special match for the former Perugia player, as a lot of polemics arose when, only days after his transfer to the Biancoceleste side of the Tiber, his past as a die hard Roma fan was revealed. Expect him to do everything to prove to the Curva Nord that he has already exorcised his Roma soul.

HISTORIAN NOTES

Lazio and Roma played 116 league derbies so far. Here’s the breakdown:

Roma wins: 38
Draws: 48
Lazio wins: 30

Last year Roma took home the first derby by defeating their rivals 1-0, while the second one ended 2-2, with Lazio’s Castroman sealing off the draw with an amazing last minute strike.

[King Italy]

Probable line-ups for the derby of Saturday evening, 20.30 CET. Especially Lazio's line-up could be very different as Zaccheroni has not wanted to show any hint about the possible line-up for the derby.

Roma (3-4-1-2): 1 Antonioli; 15 Zebina, 19 Samuel, 3 Zago; 14 Panucci, 17 Tommasi, 11 Emerson, 32 Candela; 10 Totti; 20 Batistuta, 24 Delvecchio.

(80 Pelizzoli, 6 Aldair, 29 Siviglia, 2 Cafu, 5 Lima, 25 Guigou, 18 Cassano).

Lazio (3-4-3): 70 Peruzzi; 31 Stam, 13 Nesta, 19 Favalli; 15 Pancaro, 16 Giannichedda, 6 Mendieta, 3 Cesar; 7 Lopez, 10 Crespo, 5 Stankovic.

(22 Concetti, 24 Couto, 18 Negro, 28 Liverani, 26 Castroman, 20 Fiore, 21 Inzaghi).

[Drulic]

Dear God king, when you start posting there's no end in sight.. , I hope Deki will be a starter this game, for me personally he proved he deserves it. Games against Roma are always tough. Seeing Roma's current form, I think a win is going to be very difficult to get, but we also have been going through a better period in the season.

I'm hoping for a win but I'll predict a 1-1 tie.

[King Italy]

Fabio Capello and Alberto Zaccheroni have both outlined that anything less than a victory will be a massive blow for their respective clubs. Lazio and Roma face up to each other this evening in one of the most eagerly awaited games of the world footballing calendar.

"Qualification for the Champions’ League was a good result for us but it is now time to concentrate on Lazio," said Capello. "It will be a difficult game because both sides need the win. A draw would be useless to the pair of us."

The Giallorossi will start the game as favourites but the Coach knows that nothing can be taken for granted in this type of encounter.

He warned: "Lazio are a dangerous side who have many great players and champions that could turn a game in an instant."

Meanwhile, Zaccheroni has admitted that a win tonight would not only be important for the points but also for morale after some disappointing recent displays.

"The objectives for this side remain the Scudetto and the Champions’ League but a win in the derby would be a massive boost for us after the start we’ve had to the campaign," said Zac.

"It’s impossible to sort out the problems in less than three days. We’re not at the top of our game meanwhile Roma are in great form.

"They seem more determined that we are at the moment, all you have to do is look at how many bookings they have. Whereas we are quite a fair team, maybe too fair."

Football Italia

[King Italy]

Marco Delvecchio is the player Lazio must watch out for in tonight's game. Although the Roma attacker usually don't score many goals in a season, he has the (bad) habit of scoring in the derby.

The derby between Lazio and Roma has been played 116 times. The first one was in 1929 when Lazio-Roma ended 0-1 (Volk).

Roma has 38 victories (last one: Lazio-Roma 0-1 the 17th December 2000).

48 draws (last one: Roma-Lazio 2-2 the 29th April 2001)

Lazio has 30 victories (last one: Lazio-Roma 2-1 the 25th March 2000)

Roma has scored 134 goals while Lazio has scored 106.

The best goalscorer of the derby, all times, is former Roma player Dino Da Costa who has scored 9 goals.

Best Lazio scorer in the derby is Piola with 6 goals.

Best derby-scorer still in activity is Roma's Marco Delvecchio with 7 goals scored.

The record of most derbys played has the former Roma goalkeeper Masetti.

[PFC]

Scorers were Delvecchio and Totti..
I saw the match and honestly Roma outplayed you in every aspect of the game.. Lazio never seemed a threat and the connection between the mids and forwards was missing..Mendieta was dissapointing and was a no factor, Crespo put in a lot of effort but produced very little...Lopez.. Hmm did he even play ?

All in all it was a deserved victory for Roma..

[aca]

Final score

Roma 2 - Lazio 0 (delveccio, Tottina)

Sorry to tell you this guys, but we were outplayed....

In tennis there is a term "unforced error". Thats how our game was tonight. Unforced errors all over the field.

Deki did not start. Came in the second half instead of Mandi. None of them impressed.

The best chances of the game Crespo...saved by the goal keeper.

And Nesta...almost scored, saved by the defender of roma....

Man of the match : Stam...Man, is this guy something or what? He saved our asses so many times, impossible to count.

Otherwise, our midfield was non-existant. Crespo had a two-three balls passed to him, and thats it...No creativity whatsoever.

Anyway, have a nice nightmare tonigh. I know I will