What is the most difficult thing in football? It's not losing, but losing to your city rivals! The Rome derby has always been hailed as the most explosive match in Serie A, concerning not only three points but also the dignity and faith of the city.
In the Rome derby on the early morning of January 6th, Roma won 2-0 against Lazio with goals from Pellegrini and Salamakors. However, behind this victory lies two very different stories for both teams.
For Roma, it was a long-awaited and inspiring victory, while Lazio fell out of the title race due to this defeat.
Looking at the performances of both teams, this was not just a win or loss in a derby, but a true reflection of the competitive situation in Serie A this season: upper echelon stratification, three powers vying for the championship, and mid-table teams locked in fierce competition. Who can hold on until the end will be the real winner?
If we go back to the beginning of the season, when talking about Lazio, many people would give them a thumbs up: "Impressive!" At that time, they played fluidly, even traditional giants like Juventus, Fiorentina, and AC Milan had to take a back seat. Their performance in the first half of the season was stunning.
But reality can be harsh, and recently Lazio's form has plummeted like a roller coaster. This Rome derby was a microcosm of their recent problems.
Where does Lazio's problem lie? Simply put, one word: instability. Several key players who were once the team's trump cards became invisible in this game.
Especially Castellanos' red card, which seemed to be the last straw that broke the camel's back. The core figures who should have led the team collectively failed, coupled with weak mental fortitude, such a performance means not only the end of the title race but even keeping the top four positions is in doubt.
Lazio's decline actually had early signs. Although they shone at the beginning of the season, their psychological and tactical weaknesses in key matches gradually emerged.
Every time they faced tough opponents, they would falter, wasting good opportunities again and again. After this derby defeat, the gap between them and the top team Napoli widened to 9 points. For a team lacking in tough matches, this means the complete shattering of their title dreams.
Unlike Lazio, Roma's start to the season could be described as "dismal." On the Serie A standings, they once hovered in the mid-to-lower reaches, almost making fans despair.
But just when the team hit rock bottom, a coaching change became the turning point of the season. Ranieri's appointment seemed to awaken the sleeping team and help them rediscover themselves.
Although Ranieri did not bring a miraculous "turning stones into gold," his adjustments undoubtedly made Roma more united and better able to seize opportunities at critical moments. This Rome derby was the best proof. The whole team, whether in execution or attitude, showed a long-lost fighting spirit and determination.
Pellegrini's world-class goal ignited the stadium, and Salamakors' goal killed the suspense. After the game, some fans exclaimed, "This is Roma! This is our team!"
However, after calming down and thinking carefully, although Roma's recovery is gratifying, there is still a significant gap from truly strong teams. Their squad depth is insufficient, and their stability is hard to support them in challenging for the top four. To secure a Champions League spot, they may have to rely more on their performance in the Europa League.
The derby is a battle of honor for mid-table teams, while at the other end of the Serie A standings, the three contenders for the title have already pulled away from the rest of the teams.
This season, Napoli, Atalanta, and Inter Milan have become the most competitive teams. Each has its own strengths, and the second half of the season is destined to be a fierce battle.
Currently, Napoli tops the table, with their advantage lying in stability: the team has sufficient depth in the overall lineup, outstanding form from key players, and consistent league performance.
Atalanta is known for its efficient offense, with a "goal-scoring machine" that instills fear. However, the most suspenseful is Inter Milan. Although they trail Napoli by 4 points, they have two postponed matches, theoretically still with a chance to turn things around.
But the question is, can Inter Milan really make a comeback? The answer is unclear. The double-front battle of the Champions League schedule is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, having advanced to the round of 16, their morale is high; on the other hand, the physical and mental toll of European competition could directly affect their league performance. A misstep could lead to failure on both fronts.
The excitement of the Rome derby actually reflects the overall situation of Serie A this season. The top teams are fiercely competing for the title, with a small gap between the top three; mid-table teams are fighting fiercely for European qualification.
Teams like Roma and Lazio, their every victory or defeat may trigger a "butterfly effect" on the leaderboard.
From a broader perspective, the competitive landscape of Serie A this season can be summarized as "upper echelon stratification, mid-table deadlock." The title contenders are gradually pulling away from the rest, while mid-table teams are caught in a tug-of-war, fighting each other. This situation makes every match in Serie A full of suspense and keeps fans hooked.
The story of Serie A is far from over, but rather becoming more exciting. Lazio's future is clearly not optimistic; if they cannot adjust their state, it will be difficult to maintain their top-four position. Roma needs to work on stability and squad depth to achieve their seasonal goals.
In terms of the title race, although Napoli is in the best position, every match from now on could be a "fate-changing point." As for Inter Milan, if they can find a balance between the Champions League and the league, they might still have a chance to make a comeback.
Football matches are always changing rapidly, just like the old saying: "Until the last moment, no one knows the outcome." And this is precisely the charm of football.