Sarri: Lazio vs. Roma ‘one of the most intense derbies in the world’ | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri is looking forward to taking part in his seventh Derby della Capitale in charge of Lazio, and feels that his side’s derby with Roma is ‘one of the most intense and most-followed derbies in the world’.

The Biancocelesti will be the home side as they take on archrivals Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, kicking off in the early slot at 12.30 BST.

Lazio are coming in off the back of a slightly disappointing start to the season, which has left them in 13th place in the table with three points from their opening three matches of the league campaign.

Previous form, however, tends to go out of the window as far as derbies are concerned.

What Sarri said about Lazio-Roma in pre-match press conference

SASSUOLO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SS Lazio at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“The feeling is always the same: It’s a special match, an emotional one,” Sarri said at the beginning of his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“I think these are among the most heart-felt matches in Europe, one of the most intense and most-followed derbies in the world. Inevitably, the emotions and levels of adrenaline are very high.”

Sarri went on to reveal that there could be opportunities for Taty Castellanos and Nicolo Rovella against Roma, but the Lazio head coach was unwilling to make any promises.

“I don’t know who is injured. Castellanos seems to be a bit further ahead, he could recover. We’ll evaluate Rovella today. For the rest, the other injured players will be out again. As for Patric, he did part of yesterday’s session so he could make the bench, but in a role that is more symbolic than effective.”

Sarri was asked if he thinks Roma are the favourites heading into the Derby della Capitale given their place in the table.

“I don’t care about any of that,” Sarri said. “The derby is a match between two groups of people, who, from a sporting perspective, hate each other, so I just want my favourite to go in and fight for their people.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 05: Loum Tchaouna of Lazio reacts with Paulo Dybala of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on January 05, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Whoever is the ‘favourite’ doesn’t interest me. The goal has to be to fight for our supporters for 95-100 minutes, otherwise it will be a long game. 35 degrees inside the stadium I believe.”

What changes does Sarri make to his preparations ahead of a game like Lazio-Roma?

“The difference is emotional and motivational. This is clearly reflected in a higher level of attention from all our players. These matches have an emotional component that, in my opinion, is bigger than any other game.”

What are the overriding memories that Sarri has of previous derbies?

“Of the six derbies played, we lost one, and I only remember that one. I remember the discomfort in the following days, this infinite sadness that gets on you and makes you truly understand what the derby means. You almost feel ashamed to go back to the training ground, that I remember.”

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 05: Leandro Paredes of AS Roma clashes with Nicolo Rovella of Lazio during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on January 05, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Sarri, like Gasperini, is slightly frustrated by the decision to play Lazio vs. Roma in the early kick-off slot, given that temperatures inside the stadium could be as high as 35℃ under the midday sun.

“I think that the timing will be heavy for us, but it will also be heavy for them. The time of the game does not mean defeat for Lazio or Roma, though, it’s a defeat for football and in my opinion, for the footballing institutions.

“Those who want to maintain public order are the ones making this decision, it’s always difficult to maintain public order. So it’s a defeat for football. We shouldn’t focus on that, though. If there is a game that is worth fighting for, it is this one.”