AS Roma vs Lazio – Match preview and team news

AS Roma go head-to-head against their city rivals Lazio on Sunday morning in their next Serie A fixture.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are currently in fifth position in the league table with 67 points from 36 matches, the same as AC Milan who are currently in fourth in the table.

AS Roma vs Lazio – Match preview and team news

Date: Sunday, 17th May.
Kick-off: 11am BST.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma.

AS Roma team news

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side heads into the Derby della Capitale with a mixed bag of fitness updates, highlighted by major boosts in attack but a fresh worry in midfield.

Both Lorenzo Pellegrini and forward Artem Dovbyk have successfully shaken off their respective thigh injuries, resuming full training sessions with the squad.

While Pellegrini will likely start from the bench, Dovbyk provides crucial coverage for Donyell Malen.

However, Manu Koné remains a major doubt after his recurring muscular issues flared up again during the final training.

Roma will definitely be without forward Evan Ferguson, whose loan spell effectively ended following ankle surgery.

Additionally, winger Bryan Zaragoza is sidelined with a knee injury. Also, Stephan El Shaarawy is highly unlikely to feature due to an ongoing adductor issue.

Lazio team news

Maurizio Sarri faces a severe squad emergency, highlighted by an unprecedented crisis in goal ahead of the crucial clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Regular starting goalkeeper Ivan Provedel is recovering from shoulder surgery, and his teenage deputy, Edoardo Motta, was ruled out by a last-minute muscle injury.

Consequently, 24-year-old backup Alessio Furlanetto is thrust into the spotlight to make his senior Lazio debut directly in the high-stakes derby.

The tactical outlook is further complicated by the complete absence of club captain Mattia Zaccagni, who is sidelined with fresh knee and muscular problems.

Defensively, Alessio Romagnoli is out due to suspension. In midfield, Danilo Cataldi remains sidelined with an adductor strain, while Patric is fighting calf issues.

Out of absolute squad necessity, Nicolò Rovella is being forced back into the starting lineup despite not being at 100% fitness.

Form

AS Roma

AS Roma enter the derby in fantastic form, maintaining an impressive five-game unbeaten streak with four wins and one draw. Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad recently secured three consecutive league victories, including a dominant 4-0 thrashing of Fiorentina and a dramatic 3-2 away win against Parma. Currently sitting fifth, they are fiercely pushing for a Champions League spot. Furthermore, Roma boast an exceptional 11-game unbeaten home run at the Stadio Olimpico, keeping seven clean sheets during this dominant domestic sequence.

Lazio

Lazio are enduring a bruising period, arriving at the derby on the back of two consecutive defeats against Inter Milan. Maurizio Sarri’s side suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in Serie A, followed by a painful 2-0 loss in the midweek Coppa Italia final. Despite these recent setbacks, their previous form included a 2-1 away win over Cremonese. While they can no longer reach the European qualification places, Lazio remain highly dangerous on the road, having won three consecutive away matches before this recent slump.