Rome derby: Roma and Lazio battle for Champions League hopes | OneFootball

The city derby on Sunday is already shaping up to be a "do or die" challenge. Roma and Lazio, coming off losses after the break, can't afford any missteps if they want to stay on the Champions League train.

Capital Derby, Roma and Lazio are (already) playing for everything, three points to stay in the Champions race

The international break did not bring any benefits to either Roma or Lazio. Both fell at the resumption of the championship, highlighting weaknesses that risk affecting the entire season.

Gasperini's Roma is grappling with the chronic problem of the attack: "Without a real striker, our growth margins are reduced," the coach would have let slip. Neither Ferguson nor Dovbyk, at the moment, are considered reliable alternatives.

Sarri's Lazio, on the other hand, is paying for the absence of a clear identity after the summer transfer window. The coach did not show up for the post-match press conference, officially due to "family problems", but the signal is that of a turbulent environment.

Standings and European prospects

The Capital Derby comes at a very delicate moment:

Roma appears slightly favored, strong from victories with Bologna and Pisa, and remains in the wake of Napoli and Juventus.

Lazio has already suffered two defeats and only a wide victory against Verona. A draw would be of little use: it would not satisfy the fans and would leave the field open to direct competitors.

The city derby, therefore, will not only be a matter of city supremacy, but also a watershed for the Champions fight.

The absences weigh: Dybala out, Lazio in emergency

Roma will have to do without its most anticipated man. The tests have confirmed a low-grade muscle injury to Paulo Dybala's left thigh:

two-week stop,

he will miss the derby, the Europa League debut in Nice and the championship match with Verona.

A very heavy absence that removes imagination and unpredictability from the Giallorossi attack.

At Lazio, the conditions of Rovella and Castellanos remain to be assessed, not yet certain to be enlisted for Sunday's challenge.

A derby that is worth double

The Capital Derby is always a tense appointment, but this time the value multiplies: winning means relaunching in the Champions race, losing can mean having to chase already from September.

With the curves ready to push their own teams and two coaches under pressure, the 12.30 game promises to be the first real big match of the season not to be missed.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.