Lazio Vs Roma

The historic Derby della Capitale is set to reignite this Sunday evening as Lazio and Roma clash once more at the Stadio Olimpico, continuing a fierce rivalry that has spanned nearly a century since its inception in 1929. This latest installment carries immense significance, with both clubs locked in a tense battle for a top-four finish in Serie A. The Giallorossi’s recent resurgence has brought them level with their city rivals in the standings, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter that could prove pivotal in the race for European qualification.  

Derbies are often unpredictable, with form and statistics frequently cast aside in favor of raw passion and pride. Yet, Lazio may approach this match with a degree of trepidation, given their inconsistent performances in recent weeks. Their grip on a Champions League spot has slipped, with just one victory in their last six league outings. However, a narrow 1-0 triumph over fellow top-four contenders Atalanta last weekend—courtesy of Gustav Isaksen’s decisive strike—offered a glimmer of hope. Despite this, their overall form in 2025 has been underwhelming, with only five Serie A wins since the new year began. A brief resurgence in February saw them secure consecutive victories against Cagliari and Monza, but such results have been the exception rather than the norm.  

Compounding their struggles, Lazio suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. The scoreline could have been even more lopsided, as the Italian outfit struggled to contain their opponents in a match that leaves their European aspirations hanging in the balance ahead of the return fixture. This latest setback adds to a growing list of concerning results, including a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Inter Milan late last year and a shocking 5-0 thrashing by Bologna just last month.  

Marco Baroni, who initially impressed after taking the reins at the Stadio Olimpico, now faces mounting pressure as his team’s inconsistencies threaten to derail their season. With only seven matches remaining in the league campaign, Lazio can ill afford further slip-ups if they hope to secure a return to the Champions League. Their recent struggles stand in stark contrast to their formidable home record against Roma, where they remain unbeaten in the last nine derbies across all competitions—a historic streak they will be desperate to extend on Sunday.  

The stakes could hardly be higher. Just a few months ago, Lazio held a commanding 15-point lead over their rivals in the standings. However, that gap has since dwindled to a mere two points, making the prospect of another derby defeat almost unthinkable for the Biancocelesti faithful. Roma, meanwhile, arrive with momentum on their side. Their 2-0 victory in January’s reverse fixture—sealed by two early goals—marked their third consecutive clean sheet in league derbies. Now, they aim to complete their first league double over Lazio since 2016, a feat that would further cement their resurgence under interim manager Claudio Ranieri.  

That January clash was a typically fiery affair, with Lazio’s Taty Castellanos seeing red in stoppage time—a fitting reflection of a fixture that has produced more yellow and red cards than any other in Serie A this century. At the time, Roma entered the match as underdogs, reeling from the dismissal of club legend Daniele De Rossi and a disastrous tenure under Ivan Juric. However, the return of Ranieri, a beloved figure in the capital, has brought stability and renewed optimism.  

The veteran coach has made an immediate impact, becoming the first manager in Roma’s history to win his first four Serie A derbies in charge. Now, he stands on the brink of equaling the record set by iconic figures such as Fabio Capello, Nils Liedholm, Luciano Spalletti, and Luigi Barbesino, each of whom secured five Derby della Capitale victories. Under Ranieri’s guidance, Roma have embarked on an impressive 15-match unbeaten run in the league, winning 11 of those games. Only Paris Saint-Germain, recently crowned French champions, currently boast a longer unbeaten streak across Europe’s top five leagues.  

Though their European and Coppa Italia campaigns ended in disappointment, Roma’s domestic revival has been nothing short of remarkable. Their last league defeat dates back to mid-December, and their hard-fought 1-1 draw with Juventus last weekend further underscored their resilience. Ranieri, in what has been a fairy-tale third stint at the club he supported as a boy, has masterminded a dramatic turnaround that has reignited hopes of Champions League qualification. With Fiorentina and AC Milan already overtaken in the standings, leapfrogging Lazio would be the crowning achievement of their resurgence.  

As the two sides prepare to renew hostilities, the Derby della Capitale promises to deliver its usual blend of drama, tension, and unbridled passion. For Lazio, it is a chance to reassert their dominance over their rivals and keep their top-four ambitions alive. For Roma, it represents an opportunity to complete a stunning comeback in the race for Europe and further solidify Ranieri’s legacy. With so much at stake, Sunday’s clash is more than just a local derby—it is a defining moment in the season for both clubs.