Derby Memories: Reflections from Those Who Played It

Achille Serra, former prefect of Rome, commented on the recent Derby della Capitale chaos, defending the decision to reschedule the match to avoid a clash with the Italian Open tennis final on May 17. Serra praised the current prefect Giannini's choice, stating that public order must take priority. He acknowledged criticism over the rescheduling but argued that when security concerns arise, postponement is justified: "If information of probable incidents reached the police, it's right to move it to the next day. If that information has eased, it's right to go back and satisfy the League and broadcasters." The derby had been marked by post-match violence, with Roma supporters attacked by Lazio fans. Serra reflected on his own experience managing Florence during Roma's 1983 Scudetto win, when he limited visiting supporters' access and delayed a match by one day to prevent disorder. He emphasized that incidents can occur at any time and are not exclusively tied to evening kickoffs, though acknowledged that managing 100,000 fans in a one-kilometer radius creates inherent difficulty. Serra expressed optimism that fan behavior has improved and incidents can now be prevented through proper planning. Regarding future evening derbies, Serra stated: "These are decisions taken by the prefect and police chief, not something in my head. I used to have them play in the evening and took responsibility. I believe things have now calmed down." He concluded by expressing hope that Roma reaches the Champions League.

Nicolò Zaniolo has expressed regret over how he departed AS Roma, suggesting in an interview with Sportweek that he would have handled his exit less abruptly if given the chance. The Udinese attacker spoke about his time at Roma, acknowledging that his manner of leaving the club could have been handled better. Zaniolo remains a significant figure in Roma's recent history, having scored the winning goal in the club's UEFA Europa Conference League victory in 2022. His comments reflect a more reflective stance on a move that was widely reported as contentious at the time. The exact details of what prompted these remarks remain unclear.

Edin Dzeko, the former Roma striker recently promoted to the Bundesliga with Schalke 04, has given an interview discussing Roma's current situation. Dzeko expressed hope that Daniele De Rossi will make a positive contribution to the club. He also commented on a player named Alajbegovic, suggesting this player possesses qualities that set him apart from others. The exact context of Dzeko's remarks and the full scope of his observations remain unclear from the available text.