Former Lazio and Roma coach Zdenek Zeman feels the Biancocelesti are the favourites for tomorrow’s Derby della Capitale, with Maurizio Sarri ‘doing better’ than Jose Mourinho.
Sarri’s side currently sit 5th in the Serie A table after 29 games, seven points behind 4th place Juventus and one above both Roma and Atalanta. The Biancocelesti have started 2022 well, finally managing to apply the movements and tactics requested by the 63-year-old Italian coach.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Zeman discussed the importance of the Derby della Capitale ahead of tomorrow’s game.
“The Rome derby is special for the fans, not for the players. When I lost four in a season, my Roma team finished ahead of Lazio. So the mathematical truth is that it counts like all the other games.”
He touched on which team he thinks will tomorrow.
“Lazio are favourites. But in the derby the hierarchies are often not respected and the team that is stronger or fitter does not win.”
The former Lazio and Roma coach commented on if he likes Sarri’s work more than Mourinho’s this season.
“It’s not a question of preference. Sarri is doing better, he has already given Lazio an identity. Mourinho has failed to meet expectations so far.
“Not on a communication level, but in the quality of the football he expresses. Roma still don’t understand what they want to do on the pitch, while Lazio are more square.”
Finally, Zeman tried to explain Mourinho’s difficulties with Roma this season.
“Everyone has difficulties when teams don’t work. But you have to agree on what we should expect from Roma.
“If they asked Mourinho for the Scudetto with these players, then they were wrong. Scudettos are won with the best players, coaches win when they have the best team.”
With only a handful of Serie A games still remaining, tomorrow’s derby could be key in the race for European qualification this season, with both Roman clubs looking to secure at spot in the Europa League.
#Zeman gioca il derby Roma-Lazio: "Meglio Sarri di Mourinho" 👇 https://t.co/4t6ggLyLts
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) March 19, 2022