Lazio – Roma: exciting times

Anti-capitalism protests in Rome give the city's amateur pyrotechnic enthusiasts time to practise on the day before the big game ... 

After a shaky start to the season, it seems as if the Romalution might just be back on track. That said, even if Lazio are without a win in the derby since April 2009, Roma have struggled for goals this season. And while wins against Parma and Atalanta hare no doubt inspired some confidence in the Giallorossi, Lazio are a better side than either i Crociati or the cheating Bergamaschi. In short, this is a hard tie to call, and should be an exciting one. Hopefully, beautiful football wins over the tension and mutual hatred, because Rome has seen a little too much of that this weekend.

Serious protest or just a good chance to wear some comic-book merch? You decide ...

Rather than joining my friends out burning cars and attacking churches, I spent this derby eve watching lots and lots of football. Highlights of the previous few derbies online and Sky Calcio all the day long. Before enjoying games from the continent's biggest leagues, I started the day with coffee and the full 90 minute replay of last night's game between Varese and Padova. The Lombardians won comfortably, 3-0, playing some beautiful football in the process. Perhaps I need to watch more Serie B ...

Anyway, back to the task at hand: the derby.

No Totti, no party?

Lazio, Gazetta dello Sport

Roma, Gazetta dello Sport

Not so fast. Obviously losing the captain is a blow, but it was bound to happen sooner or later and a leading role for young players like Bojan might be just what they need.

The Barcelona loanee has broken his duck now and should have a spring in his step, but he needs to keep scoring. As Pep Guardiola put it recently, "the success depends on him". If Bojan really believes that he's good enough for either the Roma or the Barca shirt long-term, then he needs to prove it, and what better opportunity that against Lazio? Someone needs to be the hero and it might as well be the diminutive Spaniard.

Another likely protagonist will be Miralem Pjanic, who for me has been Roma's most exciting player so far. He might be young, and he might not speak Italian yet, but the young Bosnian has shown flashes of brilliance in his exciting style of play and if he's played, as expected, higher up the pitch in the absence of il Capitano, then he should have even more space and time to express himself.

Also tantalising is the possibility of seeing Erik Lamela make his debut. Luis Enrique has called up the young Argentine to the squad, making him one of the 21 players from both sides who have never played in a Rome derby before. With so many fresh faces, who knows what could happen? Here's hoping it's a dominant Giallorossi performance that decides this one, rather than penalties.

The squads

Gazetta dello Sport