Lazio - Won 44, Drawn 55, Lost 58
Merda - Won 58, Drawn 55, Lost 44
Well, the highlight or joint highlight of any Laziale's season. The derby! After all, there are many users that are only fans of SSL because of this fixture!
This time around of course we will have the 60% crowd allocation as we are the 'home' team... and have won the last 3 derbies when we have had so.
What a season it has been for both Roman clubs. AS Roma started off very poorly but are now in a prime position to win the Scuddeto, whilst Lazio started off very well but have been crap ever since practically. A change in manager for both clubs have drastically changed their season - Edy Reja looks to have steered the Biancocelesti to safety with some impressive performances and results, whilst Ranieri has given confidence to a fairly mediocre set of players and from an impossible situation do look like they are unbelievably primed for title glory.
The first derby this season was controlled by Lazio and, whilst not creating a lot, did miss a sitter with Mauri, with Cassetti scoring the winning goal for Merda. A frustrating derby not only for the sitter missed, but for the manner of the defeat which epitomised Ballardini's reign. AS Roma did not play very well that day but showed determination that has since been backed up by attacking football and many goals from the likes of Vucinic and Luca Toni, who will be very dangerous.
Lazio will obviously be expectant of Zarate who has flopped terribly this season - so moreover the Laziale faithful will be looking to Sergio Floccari and il Capitano to get the goals needed for the win. Even Mauri has impressed of late. Both defences are weak and both confidences are up, so goals should be expected.
Unlike the first derby, which came at the right time for the red half of Rome, this one has come at the right time for both teams - both have come off the back of little unbeaten runs that have taken some points off some big teams.
My own derby memories? Impossible to quantify - I have seen either both derbies or one of them owing to a part-time nature in my early Lazio years since 98, and I do have a pretty bad memory of remembering fine details. But as beloved Jofo posted a couple of years ago also said in an old topic which I found the other day moderating, an abiding memory I cannot forget was the season in which we beat Merda 4 times!
Fantastic moments in my life, a beautiful football match that is well regarded across the whole world. It is however, more special for those of us who are fortunate enough to be a part of it one way or another. How lucky we are to support SS Lazio.
FORZA LAZIO!!
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