Lazio v Roma: preview

Lazio go into the 134th Eternal City derby with more than local pride at stake - their Serie A status is also hanging by a thread. A victory would be a massive boost for Edy Reja’s side (by the way, did you know that he lives in a hotel?), and would also kill off any hopes rivals Roma, who are 1st, may have of winning the league.
AS Roma certainly need no introduction to Lazio supporters. The tension kept arising during the week and fans just can’t wait anymore for the big kick-off (by the way, you should be aware by now that it has been brought forward do 6,30 pm CET rather than 8,45 due to safety reasons). 5,000 Lazio supporters yesterday turned up in Formello to cheer up the team before the crucial game.
The derby drawn in 2001 (2-2, that is also the same outcome predicted by Sven-Goran Eriksson) was the most important ever: Roma were top of the League while Lazio were trailing and had the Scudetto sewn on their shirts. This season the two teams have different targets, but this is still one of the most important derbies ever. The atmosphere is fizzling even more than normal.
Here we would be interested to highlight some secrets of Roma success so far. After climbing the table, the Giallorossi are now top. Inter, although temporarily, have the chance to overtake them at the summit, if they beat Juventus tonight.

TACTICAL VERSATILITY – Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri was once known as Tinkerman while in London because of his frequent tactical changes. At Roma he stuck to the stereotype and used six different formations and tactics so far. But in Italy this is to be considered an extra value. Roma played with 4-3-1-2, 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-2-3-1 (and this is the one Ranieri should choose against Lazio), 3-5-2 and even 4-3-3 formations. Who could ever imagine that the practical and down-to-earth Ranieri would go on to use such an attacking system? But he did so indeed and his thoughts are now paying dividends. Roma unbeaten sequence stretches back to October 28th, to the game against Udinese (2-1). Since then they haven’t lost a single game (apart from the ones against Panathinaikos in the Europa League) and their run has been outstanding: 23 games (17 wins, 6 draws and 10 clean sheets). Rome-born Ranieri now wants to lead his troops to a 24th consecutive positive result, something only Fabio Capello has achieved in 2001/02 season. The longest unbeaten sequence belongs to Nils Liedholm though: 30 games between 1980 and 1981.

Lazio are not mathematically safe from the drop but their Serie A status is all but secure after a run of only one defeat in six matches. That loss was against Bari at home (0-2) one month ago. That’s the same score line of last Roma away victory against Lazio back in 2006. In the following three seasons, Lazio have always prevailed (3-0, 3-2 and 4-2) providing their fans with the longest winning sequence at home, only matched by the one achieved between 1949 and 1953.
In total, Lazio and Roma have played 66 times when Lazio were at home and they have won 21 each, drawing 24. Lazio scored 72 goals but conceded 79 in the process. Edy Reja never prevailed in 9 matches as a coach against Roma (2 draws and 7 defeats), while Ranieri has only won once at Lazio while leading Juventus (4 draws and 4 defeats). Ranieri's teams normally perform at best in the month of April: he averaged 1,82 ppg.

The line-ups will remain a mystery not even Sherlock Holmes could solve until Sunday at 6,20 pm. Radu has been battling to overcome a hamstring problem to his left thigh, but he should be ok and Reja might use him in a 3-5-2 formation. The alternative is to deploy a 4-3-1-2. Bizzarri, Foggia, Matuzalem, Manfredini and Meghni all remain sidelined.
Ranieri can choose from a full-strength squad but he’ll decide at the very last minute whether to field Luca Toni or Jèrèmy Menez in attack, with the Frenchman having a slight advantage on the World Champion. Otherwise, Francesco Totti will be the only front man with Taddei, Perrotta and Vucinic behind him.

Possible line-ups:

Lazio (3-5-2): 86 Muslera; 80 Dias, 28 Stendardo, 26 Radu; 2 Lichtsteiner, 32 Brocchi, 24 Ledesma, 5 Mauri, 11 Kolarov; 9 Rocchi, 20 Floccari. (88 Berni, 25 Biava, 87 Diakitè, 33 Baronio, 15 Hitzlsperger, 74 Cruz, 10 Zarate). Coach: Reja. Miss next match if booked: Foggia, Baronio, Rocchi, Floccari, Ledesma, Cruz, Kolarov. Sidelined: Meghni, Manfredini, Matuzalem, Bizzarri, Foggia

Roma (4-4-1-1): 27 Julio Sergio, 77 Cassetti, 4 Juan, 29 Burdsso, 17 Riise, 20 Perrotta, 16 De Rossi, 7 Pizarro, 9 Vucinic, 10 Totti, 30 Toni. (32 Doni, 5 Mexes, 77 Tonetto, 33 Brighi, 14 Faty, 94 Menez, 19 Julio Baptista). Coach: Raneri. Miss next match if booked: Vucinic

Referee: Tagliavento (Terni) - Snai odds: Lazio 13/5; draw 12/5; Roma 1/1.