Roma vs. Lazio: Will the revitalized Claudio Ranieri or the optimistic Marco Baroni emerge victorious in the Serie A clash of the Rome derby?

The first weekend of 2025 began serenely in Rome, with a radiant sun casting its warm rays over the city, setting the stage for a long Epiphany weekend. However, as the sun sets on Sunday, the atmosphere in the ancient capital will transform dramatically.

Nothing stirs the nerves of the Eternal City quite like the Derby della Capitale, a fixture that brings both ecstasy and despair to the passionate supporters of Lazio and Roma. This season, fans have been left in suspense, as the highly anticipated clash at the Stadio Olimpico marks a pivotal moment before the second half of the campaign kicks off.

The build-up to this encounter has been nothing short of electric. Both clubs opened their training grounds to thousands of eager fans this week, who were keen to remind the players just how significant this match is.

Lazio’s new manager, Marco Baroni, will experience the intensity of the derby for the first time, going head-to-head with the seasoned Claudio Ranieri, a man who knows this fixture inside out. The timing of the match adds an intriguing layer; Lazio are riding high under Baroni’s guidance, while Roma, under Ranieri, are showing signs of resurgence, having matched their rivals’ results in the last five games. It promises to be a tantalising contest.

**Baroni Brings Fresh Optimism to Lazio**

In a Serie A season filled with surprises, Lazio’s quest for UEFA Champions League qualification—or even a shot at the Scudetto—has emerged as one of the most compelling narratives. The previous season was tumultuous, with Maurizio Sarri’s departure and Igor Tudor’s brief tenure ending in disappointment, leaving Lazio in seventh place. The summer saw the departure of key players, including Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson, and all-time top scorer Ciro Immobile, leading to a gloomy atmosphere as protests against club owner Claudio Lotito dominated the opening day.

Yet, the mood has shifted dramatically. Baroni has revitalised the squad, propelling Lazio into the top four of Serie A, just six points off the summit, while also leading them to the top of the UEFA Europa League standings and into the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. His attacking style has not only delighted fans but also instilled confidence in the players, with 15 different individuals finding the net this season.

Striker Taty Castellanos has been a standout performer with seven goals, although Pedro will miss the derby due to injury, denying him the chance to face his former club. Nuno Tavares, who made a sensational start after joining from Arsenal, will be under scrutiny to regain his form on this grand stage after a recent dip.

“You live for these games,” Baroni remarked ahead of the match, but he also issued a caution. “We are playing this game on Sunday, not two months ago. In the last five games, both teams have earned the same number of points. Since Ranieri took over at Roma, they have scored twice as many goals. It will be a balanced, dangerous game, and that makes it even better.”

**Ranieri Seeks Stability for Roma**

While Baroni is stepping into the derby for the first time, Ranieri is no stranger to this fierce rivalry. However, his return to the club was unexpected. Drafted in November to quell the unrest following a dismal start to the season, Ranieri faced the daunting task of restoring faith after the controversial sacking of club legend Daniele De Rossi just four games in.

His predecessor, Ivan Juric, struggled to steady the ship, leading to his dismissal and Ranieri’s decision to come out of retirement to guide his boyhood club for a third time. After a rocky start, Ranieri managed to instil a sense of optimism in December, with Roma winning four of their six matches, including a 4-1 victory over Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia and a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Parma.

Despite the positive signs, there remains a significant gap to close. Roma trail Lazio by a staggering 22 points across Serie A and the Europa League, sitting in 10th place in the league and 14th in Europe, with the risk of missing out on an automatic last-16 spot looming large.

However, the green shoots of December suggest that Roma can mount a challenge on Sunday, especially as they will enjoy the support of the majority of the Stadio Olimpico crowd. Ranieri’s previous four derbies as coach have all ended in victory for the Giallorossi, and they will be buoyed by their last encounter, which saw them triumph thanks to Gianluca Mancini’s decisive goal.

Key to Roma’s hopes will be the form of Paulo Dybala, who has been in scintillating touch, scoring three goals in his last two outings. The Argentine international has a penchant for this fixture, having netted 11 times against Lazio in his career.

“Lazio are having a stratospheric season, they are playing with auto-pilot on,” Ranieri acknowledged. “But this match has its own history. The league table doesn’t count. For me, and as a fan, winning would have enormous value.”

**How to Watch the Derby**

The highly anticipated clash between Roma and Lazio kicks off at 19:45 UK time on Sunday, January 5, and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+. With both teams eager to assert their dominance in the capital, fans can expect a thrilling encounter that will undoubtedly add another chapter to the storied history of the Derby della Capitale.