Claudio Ranieri's recent return to Roma management, following his announced retirement from club management last May, has sparked renewed interest in the Italian football scene. He steered Cagliari away from relegation in his final match as manager, a feat that had raised him to the status of a local hero on the island of Sardinia, where he previously made his name three decades prior, leading the club from Serie C to the top flight.
However, Ranieri's first love remains the city of Rome and its team, Roma. He had previously managed the club twice, but when they approached him for a third time in November, he found himself unable to decline. The club was in a state of disarray, having already dismissed Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric within the first 12 games of the Serie A season, with only three victories achieved during this period.
Ranieri's initial return was not without challenges. Early league matches against Napoli and Atalanta resulted in defeats, while a European draw against Tottenham further complicated the situation. A subsequent victory over Lecce was followed by a loss to Como. The possibility of an unsuccessful return seemed quite real.
However, Roma's fortunes changed. A commanding 4-1 cup victory over Sampdoria, followed by a 5-0 thrashing of Parma, marked a turning point. The team drew away to Milan and subsequently defeated Lazio in the derby. This was Ranieri's fifth time managing Roma against their city rivals, across three stints, and his fifth victory in this fixture.
From early February to late March, Roma embarked on a seven-game winning streak in the league. By the time of the return fixture against Lazio, the team had maintained an impressive unbeaten run of 15 Serie A games, significantly narrowing the gap from Lazio's 15-point lead to just two points.
Ranieri was unequivocal about his intentions, stating that this would be his final season in charge of Roma. "This will be my last derby," he declared. In response to questions about his history of success in the derby, he used the Roman idiom "l'acqua vecchia non macina più," which translates to "old water does not grind." This, like many of his pronouncements, is reflective of his personality.
The derby, taking place on a Sunday evening, was a significant occasion, marking the first time in five years that Roma and Lazio had played in an evening kick-off. The match, and its pre-game atmosphere, underscored the passionate rivalry between the two teams. Thirteen police officers were reported injured in the pre-match confrontations between rival supporters.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the atmosphere inside the Olimpico was a testament to the power of organized support. Roma fans, occupying the Curva Sud, paid tribute to Agostino Di Bartolomei, the captain who led them to their second Serie A title in 1983. Lazio fans reciprocated with a captivating display of choreography, filling the remainder of the stadium with images illustrating Rome's history.
The match itself, however, did not live up to the hype. Both teams, positioned in sixth and seventh place, respectively, were three and five points outside the Champions League spots. Bologna's loss to Atalanta further heightened the stakes. The game was played at a slow tempo, with significant time-wasting by both teams. Lazio's recent demoralizing defeat in the Europa League quarter-final against Bodø/Glimt contributed to their sluggish performance.
Ranieri's tactical adjustments, switching from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 formation, aimed to exploit Lazio's full-backs, but the Biancocelesti ultimately controlled the wide areas. Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar faced several challenging saves, including a header from Alessio Romagnoli.
Lazio took the lead with a Romagnoli header from a free-kick. Roma's marking was poor, allowing several Lazio players to get behind their defensive line. Roma's response was lackluster, although a save by Christos Mandas and a near miss by Gianluca Mancini offered fleeting hope. The game remained scoreless until Matías Soulé's goal with 20 minutes remaining.
Soulé's goal, a well-taken shot off the underside of the bar, was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure. The goal was decisive, securing a 1-1 draw for Roma. While the result allowed Ranieri to end his Roma derbies undefeated, it was the first time he had failed to secure a victory in this fixture.
"I thought about that before and after," Ranieri stated. "As a fan, it's very beautiful to finish undefeated, although I would have liked to close with one more win. But this is football; sometimes it gives you beautiful things, other times less beautiful. You need to know how to accept it." He expressed his appreciation for the atmosphere of the Olimpico and his involvement in Roma's future.
Roma's director of football, Florent Ghisolfi, confirmed Ranieri's transition into a new role as a "sporting advisor" to the board after this season. He is actively assisting in the selection process for his successor. Six remaining matches and a European place remain to be secured.
Ranieri's tactical decisions, particularly in the last two matches against Juventus and Lazio, proved effective with the introduction of Eldor Shomurodov and Artem Dovbyk, but the limited bench depth posed a challenge.
