Cristante on Derby Importance and Champions League Ambitions

Roma captain Bryan Cristante has spoken ahead of Sunday's Derby della Capitale against Lazio at the Olimpico, a match crucial to the club's Champions League qualification bid. The midfield leader emphasized the significance of the fixture for both sets of supporters and stressed that Roma must win to keep their European hopes alive. "The derby is always the derby. State of form doesn't matter," Cristante said. "We know we must win and we'll put everything on the pitch to achieve it. The whole city is stirring, everyone is activated, and you feel in the air that the week is different." Cristante highlighted the importance of maintaining balance during such a high-pressure match. "If you put too much heart in it, you lose the clarity needed to win, and vice versa. You need a good mix of everything to pull it off," he explained. The captain praised forward Donyell Malen, calling him "devastating in the box" with excellent speed and composure in front of goal. Cristante also commended head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical approach, noting that the squad has remained committed to the manager's ideas even during difficult moments and has learned his systems progressively. Regarding Champions League qualification, Cristante stated: "The Champions is our objective. We've had a great season and it would be ugly to throw it away at the end like this. It doesn't depend only on us, but we'll do everything to return to the Champions. We deserve it and it would be important. We hope to give ourselves this gift at the end of the year." The derby kicks off on 17 May at noon.

Daniele De Rossi, now managing Genoa, held a press conference two days before his side's home match against AC Milan. When asked about potential favours toward Roma, De Rossi clarified his professional focus: "I work for Genoa. If I were to play against Roma, it would be the same." De Rossi managed Roma during the 2024–25 season before being dismissed after four matches. His current role with Genoa means any fixture involving Roma is treated with the same competitive approach as any other opponent, emphasizing his commitment to his present club.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 tomorrow ahead of the Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. The match kicks off on Sunday at 12:00 in what is the penultimate round of Serie A. Roma cannot afford to drop points if they hope to maintain their Champions League aspirations. Gasperini has almost his entire squad available for selection, with Ferguson the only confirmed absentee. A question mark remains over the attacking midfield position, with competition between Soulé and Pisilli, while Malen and Dybala are expected to lead the attack. Approximately 50,000 spectators are anticipated at the Olimpico, the vast majority supporting Roma; Lazio fans are expected to boycott the match in protest against their club's management. When asked about his own future at the club, Gasperini stated: "I here on 1 July? I hope so, everyone must be satisfied."

Roma captain Bryan Cristante has spoken ahead of Sunday's Derby della Capitale against Lazio at the Olimpico, a match crucial to the club's Champions League qualification bid. The midfield leader emphasized the significance of the fixture for both sets of supporters and stressed that Roma must win to keep their European hopes alive. "The derby is always the derby. State of form doesn't matter," Cristante said. "We know we must win and we'll put everything on the pitch to achieve it. The whole city is stirring, everyone is activated, and you feel in the air that the week is different." Cristante highlighted the importance of maintaining balance during such a high-pressure match. "If you put too much heart in it, you lose the clarity needed to win, and vice versa. You need a good mix of everything to pull it off," he explained. The captain praised forward Donyell Malen, calling him "devastating in the box" with excellent speed and composure in front of goal. Cristante also commended head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical approach, noting that the squad has remained committed to the manager's ideas even during difficult moments and has learned his systems progressively. Regarding Champions League qualification, Cristante stated: "The Champions is our objective. We've had a great season and it would be ugly to throw it away at the end like this. It doesn't depend only on us, but we'll do everything to return to the Champions. We deserve it and it would be important. We hope to give ourselves this gift at the end of the year." The derby kicks off on 17 May at noon.

Roma returned to training on Friday morning to prepare for Sunday's Derby della Capitale against Lazio, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having his full squad available for the first time this season. Key players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dovbyk have recovered from injury, with only Ferguson remaining sidelined since January. Gasperini plans to field almost the same lineup that defeated Parma, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen guaranteed starting positions. The main selection decision centers on the attacking midfield role, where Niccolò Pisilli holds a slight edge over Matías Soulé. The defensive line is expected to consist of Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermeso in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Celik and Wesley will operate on the flanks, with Bryan Cristante and Koné forming the midfield partnership. This represents a significant shift in Gasperini's options, as squad depth and injury recovery have previously limited his tactical flexibility throughout the campaign.

Italian radio commentators discussed Roma's approaching Derby della Capitale fixture, focusing on the midday kick-off time and likely team lineup. Roberto Pruzzo remarked on the advantages of an early start, saying: "Playing earlier is better: time flies, and at a dietary level it's simpler, especially because there are no dead time. In terms of logistics, for a footballer it's the best solution." Piero Torri suggested Lorenzo Pellegrini is unlikely to start, with the choice between Matías Soulé and Bryan Cristante to replace him. He noted that Niccolò Pisilli is performing well and would likely be retained, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen expected to lead the attack. Stefano Agresti defended Roma's organizational capacity and questioned the debate over the noon fixture in May, stating the climate should not pose a problem. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Lazio's difficult situation following their Coppa Italia defeat, noting the absence of key defenders and suggesting their main attacking threat lies with their wide players on the counterattack. Alessandro Fusco criticized the scheduling decision as problematic from a public order perspective, claiming the fixture should not have been scheduled on the same day as another major final.