Cristofori praises El Shaarawy's professionalism and conduct

Diego Perotti, who played for AS Roma between 2016 and 2020 with over 138 appearances and 31 goals, has expressed continued affection for the club and optimism about its future. Speaking to Sky Sport, the Argentine winger reflected on Roma's season and its pursuit of Champions League qualification. Perotti is remembered for scoring the goal that sent Roma to the Champions League in 2017, the same day Francesco Totti played his final match. Perotti emphasized his lasting bond with the club, saying: "The football will always be missing from me, you never forget this love. It's a void that will always remain, fortunately I found a way with padel to fill the void a bit and see former teammates again. On Roma, I say that I remained there, my heart will always be there. I hope it goes to the Champions League, with all the difficulties it had among injuries and internal things they had a very good year. Unfortunately it doesn't depend on them but I hope for it, they would deserve it." He also praised the current squad and coach, noting that Roma has quality players and "a very great coach" in Gian Piero Gasperini. Perotti expressed hope that fortune might yet favor Roma's Champions League ambitions, noting that the club has lacked luck at times. He carries a Colosseum tattoo as a symbol of his deep connection to Rome.

Marco Delvecchio, a former Roma striker who won a Serie A title and Coppa Italia with the club, has reflected on the significance of the Derby della Capitale in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Delvecchio scored 9 derby goals between 2002 and 2009, making him Roma's all-time leading scorer in these matches before being surpassed. Despite being born in Milan, he said he feels entirely Roman and attributes his success in derbies to approaching them without tension or anxiety. Delvecchio highlighted Francesco Totti as Roma's constant presence during his decade at the club, describing him as "the greatest player who has ever played here at Roma and beyond." He recalled 11 April 1999 as a turning point—a 3–1 Roma victory after four previous derby defeats and a draw. "The derby is a match that can change your season, it can give you momentum to win or knock you down," Delvecchio said. He noted that the anticipation builds weeks in advance, with the city and the Trigoria training ground constantly reminding players of its importance. The match represents more than football; it permeates the entire city and affects how people approach Roma players in daily life.

A Derby della Capitale match scheduled to coincide with the final of Rome's International Tennis Championships has created significant disruption affecting not only the two football clubs' supporters but the entire city. The scheduling overlap highlights what critics describe as a lack of foresight in Italian football administration. The incident underscores broader tensions between major sporting events competing for the same venue access and fan resources within Rome. Details of specific fixture dates and rescheduling possibilities remain unclear from the available information.

Stephan El Shaarawy's decade-long spell at Roma has come to an end following the expiration of his contract. The winger's final match for the club came in the Derby della Capitale, playing in front of the Roma supporters for the last time in a Giallorossi shirt. El Shaarawy became an important figure during his extended tenure at the Stadio Olimpico, contributing significantly to Roma's campaign over the past ten years. His departure marks the conclusion of a substantial chapter in the club's recent history, with the derby serving as an emotional farewell to the fanbase that supported him throughout his time in Rome.

El Shaarawy has announced his departure from AS Roma after a decade with the club. The Egyptian winger will play his final match in giallorossi colours in Sunday's derby against SS Lazio, with no contract renewal agreed. He released a video message to supporters and the club to mark the occasion, describing his time in Rome as transformative. El Shaarawy departs as a significant figure in recent Roma history. Over ten years (including a season in China and eight wearing the giallorossi shirt), he scored 65 goals and made 346 appearances, including being present for Francesco Totti's farewell, Daniele De Rossi's final match, and Roma's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in Tirana. At the start of this season, he served as captain under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who awards the armband based on playing time. In his farewell message, El Shaarawy reflected on his journey: "There are places that become home without you realising it. And then, one day, you realise it was so much more... it was people, emotions, life. For me, these 10 years have been all of this. I arrived here with dreams, ambitions and a desire to prove myself. I leave with a full heart. Full of memories, of shared battles, of immense joys but also difficult moments that made me grow, on and off the pitch." Sunday's derby will be his final appearance before the Roma faithful.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has key squad options returning to availability for Roma's upcoming fixtures, particularly the derby against Lazio. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk are among the players now available from the bench after periods of absence. Pellegrini, a specialist in derby matches, and Dovbyk, who can be deployed in late-game situations, represent important tactical resources for Gasperini as Roma enters its final two matches of the season. Gasperini has consistently emphasized the importance of squad depth and has previously noted how the unavailability of several players—including Dybala, Koné, El Shaarawy, Soulé, and Wesley—restricted his options throughout the campaign. The return of these players, particularly Pellegrini and Dovbyk, addresses a long-standing concern. Pellegrini, whose contract is set to expire, remains focused on delivering in what could be among his last matches for the club. In derby matches, Gasperini tends to favor experienced players of proven weight, making Dovbyk's availability significant despite other attacking options such as the younger Vaz also competing for minutes. At Parma, substitutes already played a decisive role, with Rensch notably contributing following Wesley's earlier unavailability due to gastroenteritis. Venturino and El Aynaoui were also among the impact players from the bench in that fixture.