Gasperini Still Believes: Roma on a Mission to Chase Champions League

AS Roma's Derby della Capitale clash against SS Lazio on 17 May has become the subject of a scheduling dispute involving public order authorities. The match, part of Serie A's 37th round, is set to take place the same day as the final of the 83rd edition of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia tennis tournament. Both events occur within metres of each other at the Foro Italico, creating significant crowd management challenges. The Lega di Serie A initially proposed a 12:30 kick-off, but Rome's Prefettura (local authority) pushed back, suggesting the derby be moved to Monday 18 May at 20:45. In response, the Lega and Prefettura have now proposed a compromise: hold the derby on Sunday 17 May at 12:00, with all concurrent Serie A matches scheduled for the same time, while requesting the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation delay the tennis final by two and a half hours to 17:30. This would allow both events to proceed on the same day several hours apart. The tennis final is already sold out. The proposal would also affect matches involving Juventus, Milan, Como, and Napoli—all contenders in the Champions League race—forcing them to play at an unusual midday slot during May's heat and heightened competition tension. Official confirmation remains pending. Details of whether all parties will accept the compromise remain unclear, and further changes could still occur before the final decision is announced.

The timing of Roma's upcoming derby against SS Lazio remains unconfirmed following scheduling complications affecting multiple Serie A title contenders. The Lega Serie A initially announced the match for Sunday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m., alongside fixtures for Napoli, Milan, Juventus, and Como in the Champions League race. However, a provincial public order and security committee meeting scheduled for today could alter these plans, with Monday, May 18 emerging as a possible new date. Local authorities — the prefettura and questura — are considering various kickoff times. While officials prefer an 18:00 start, an evening kickoff is also under discussion, despite evening fixtures typically being restricted due to public safety concerns. The Lega Serie A opposes any postponement and has indicated readiness to escalate the matter to competent authorities, including potential legal action through the Tar (administrative court). League chief executive Luigi De Siervo has proposed an alternative: postponing the final of the Rome International Tennis Tournament to free up security resources. The fixture is complicated by concurrent scheduling demands across the league, with multiple clubs competing for Champions League qualification. Details remain unclear regarding which option will ultimately prevail, though a decision is expected soon following today's security meeting.

AS Roma is preparing for the Derby della Capitale with key players set to return. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk are expected to rejoin the squad following a rest day, with the team resuming training soon. Paulo Dybala is lined up to start the derby match alongside Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in attack, with the club considering deploying the attacking trio to maximize their chances in the capital derby against SS Lazio's squad. The derby takes place amid an intense Serie A title race for Champions League qualification. Roma recently secured a dramatic late victory over Parma, while AC Milan's loss in their evening fixture has kept the competition wide open. With both third and fourth place still up for grabs and only two spots available for European football, the upcoming matches are critical. Napoli, currently second, suffered a home defeat to Bologna and will need points from their next fixtures to secure Champions League football. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma remains in contention despite the tight standings. The squad appears to have recovered well from recent efforts, with Malen receiving praise for his recent performances. The clash against Sarri's Lazio team represents a crucial opportunity for Roma to press their European qualification bid as the season reaches its decisive phase.