Jose Mourinho warns Roma must face Lazio and the Rome Derby atmosphere with ‘a balance between rational thought and emotion.’
The Derby della Capitale kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Serie A Wk 6 Liveblog: Super Sunday with Juve-Samp and Rome Derby
“We must be balanced. If you are only emotional, you are unlikely to win,” Mourinho told DAZN.
“If you are only rational, especially for a game like this, you won’t win. It’s about balance, between rational thought and emotion.”
This is the first Rome Derby for both Mourinho and new Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri.
Although the stadium is only open at 50 per cent capacity due to COVID restrictions, the noise is still deafening in the Stadio Olimpico.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is suspended, but has still spent the day with his teammates and travelled to the Olimpico in the club bus to lend his support as captain, albeit one who is not playing today.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves to the trequartista role, with Stephan El Shaarawy slotting in by his side.
“They are very different players. We only have one Pellegrini, but today he is not available, unjustly not available.
“I trust the squad, so this is the moment to put our faith in all the players.”
Sarri said that he did not change his approach or preparation based on Roma, whereas Mourinho is more of a tactician in that sense.
“Comparing us to Torino, Lazio’s most recent opponents, is a waste of time, because we are so completely different in every way. That game cannot be a reference point for us.
“We always prepare by studying the opposition and checking for their strengths and weaknesses, but never losing our own identity.”
#Mourinho: “Bisogna essere equilibrati, razionali ed emotivi” #ASRoma #LazioRoma https://t.co/Am7IAS44Ha
— pagineromaniste.com (@PagineRomaniste) September 26, 2021