Lazio director Igli Tare warns the Rome Derby is ‘a separate mini-league all by itself’ in the middle of the Serie A season.
The Derby della Capitale kicks off at 17.00 GMT, you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Serie A Liveblog inc Juve-Salernitana, Roma-Lazio, Bologna-Atalanta
“This derby represents a game we need to win, it means a lot for the table and also for our journey,” Tare told DAZN.
The Biancocelesti won the first game 3-2, so the pressure is on for Roma not to fail twice in the same season.
“Everyone who lives in Rome knows this is like a separate mini-league all by itself. I have been in Rome for 17 years, I’ve experienced so many derbies, but every time it’s an emotional occasion.
“We know what it means to win this game and what it can give us for the closing stages of the campaign.”
Lazio struggled at the start, adapting to a completely different tactical approach after Simone Inzaghi was replaced by Maurizio Sarri.
“We made a choice at the start of the season and knew it would take time for Sarri and the coach to get to know each other. It took a while longer than expected, but now you can see the influence of the coach and the results are coming.
“Unfortunately, we are a bit detached from the top four, but there are nine finals to go and this is a squad with prospects.”
There have been reports of a poor relationship between Sarri and Tare, with the director potentially leaving in the summer.
He was asked if he would be at the Olimpico next season and jokingly pretended not to hear over the crowd noise before giving a real answer.
“Absolutely, yes. Not a problem.”
🦅 COME ON YOU EAGLES 🦅 pic.twitter.com/MifayyjHgh
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) March 20, 2022