Interim Italy Coach Gigi Di Biagio gives his predictions as Roma, Inter and Lazio go into the final sprint for a Champions League place.
The Under-21 Coach was given the role of caretaker after Giampiero Ventura’s dismissal, but it does not look as if his two friendlies in March – 2-0 defeat to Argentina and 1-1 draw in England – were enough to give him the job full-time.
He was asked to outline the current race for a Champions League spot between Roma, Inter and Lazio, all fighting for the remaining two places behind Juventus and Napoli.
Interim Italy Coach Gigi Di Biagio gives his predictions as Roma, Inter and Lazio go into the final sprint for a Champions League place.
The Under-21 Coach was given the role of caretaker after Giampiero Ventura’s dismissal, but it does not look as if his two friendlies in March – 2-0 defeat to Argentina and 1-1 draw in England – were enough to give him the job full-time.
He was asked to outline the current race for a Champions League spot between Roma, Inter and Lazio, all fighting for the remaining two places behind Juventus and Napoli.
“Inter have rediscovered their fitness levels at the right time and that can make the difference,” Di Biagio told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Lazio have been the most consistent in the race with few ups and downs. Despite playing so many games this season, they looked great against RB Salzburg in the Europa League quarter-final the other day.
“Roma, who immediately focused on developing their playing style and insisted on that even after a few slaps, are starting to reap the rewards of their hard work. The fixture list could also be an ally for them.
“The last game of the season is Lazio-Inter and it’d be quite funny if Roma fans ended up cheering Lazio on that day, seeing as Inter have the advantage in the head-to-head record.
“A lot will depend on the Rome Derby, which Lazio simply have to win and Roma can be content with not losing. In that situation, it’d be Inter cheering on Lazio.
“Having said that, if Inter win the next two very difficult games away to Torino and Atalanta, then they’ll emerge as the favourites for a Champions League spot. I won’t say it’s done, but it’d be Inter’s to lose.”
While Inter were never in Europe this season and went out of the Coppa Italia early, Roma and Lazio are still competing in the quarter-finals.
“If Roma go out to Barcelona and six days later lose the derby with Lazio, that would be a huge blow,” continued Di Biagio.
“Lazio might be distracted if they reach the Europa League semi-finals and that can take a lot out of you, because in Serie A you can’t afford to get a single game wrong.”
Di Biagio believes the strikers will ultimately decide who enters the Champions League.
“Edin Dzeko is getting back to his best after struggling with fatigue. Eusebio Di Francesco clearly decided it was better to play him at 50 per cent than not at all.
“Few, if any, play for the goal like Mauro Icardi and if his teammates don’t provide the service, he can disappear. There are games like the Milan Derby this week where he has all the service and can’t score, but those are the exceptions that prove the rule.”
Ciro Immobile is the Serie A Capocannoniere and his goals are also propelling Lazio in the Europa League, so why is he struggling to score for Italy?
“I think it’s a coincidence, unfortunately. It’s certainly not an issue of pressure, because he’s experienced enough to handle that. Maybe soon the day will come when he scores in every tournament, including for Italy.
“I believe, and hope, that Lorenzo Pellegrini can be decisive for Roma, because I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. It’d be good for Inter and for Italy if Roberto Gagliardini found confidence and form.
“If Sergej Milinkovic-Savic can shake off that injury, he can confirm himself as the prototype of the modern Serie A player.”