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Ranieri’s Roman Return: A Farewell to the Derby?
Veteran football manager Claudio Ranieri, known for his tactical prowess and passion, hinted at retirement once more after an eventful return to AS Roma. Having seemingly concluded his managerial career last season by successfully guiding Cagliari to Serie A safety, a fairytale ending at a club where he first gained prominence decades prior, rescuing them from Serie C, Ranieri found himself back in the Roman spotlight. Despite Sardinia embracing him as a local hero, the pull of his boyhood club proved irresistible when Roma beckoned in November.
Third Time’s a Charm (or Is It?)
Ranieri’s deep-rooted affection for Roma, his home city club he supported since childhood, drew him back for a third stint. The Italian giants were in disarray, having already dismissed Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric early in the Serie A campaign, a mere 12 games into the season following a dismal run of only three victories.
Initial Struggles and Subsequent Resurgence
The beginning of Ranieri’s tenure was challenging. Facing formidable opponents like Napoli and Atalanta in his initial league fixtures resulted in defeats, sandwiched around a Europa League draw against Tottenham. A subsequent win against Lecce was quickly followed by a loss to Como, raising concerns that Ranieri’s homecoming could conclude on a sour note.
However, Roma experienced a dramatic turnaround. A resounding 4-1 triumph over Sampdoria in the domestic cup preceded a dominant 5-0 victory against Parma. They then secured a draw away to Milan before defeating city rivals Lazio in the highly anticipated Derby della Capitale – a familiar outcome. Ranieri’s derby record remained unblemished, securing his fifth victory against Lazio in five attempts across his three spells managing Roma.
Unbeaten Streak and Closing the Gap
Roma’s momentum continued into the spring. From early February until the end of March, they achieved an impressive run of seven consecutive league wins. Heading into the return match against Lazio, Roma boasted a 15-game unbeaten streak in Serie A. Ranieri had masterfully reduced a significant 15-point deficit to a mere two points.
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“Old Water Does Not Grind”: Ranieri’s Derby Farewell?
Ranieri reiterated his intention to manage Roma only until the season’s end. This stance was reinforced before the derby clash. “This will be my last derby,” Ranieri declared. When questioned about his consistent success in this fixture, he responded with a classic Roman expression: “l’acqua vecchia non macina più.”
The saying, literally translated as “old water does not grind,” evokes the image of a watermill ceasing to function once the water has passed through. Similar to the English idiom “water under the bridge,” it’s a quintessential Ranieri-ism, reflecting his character and outlook.
Derby Atmosphere: Old-fashioned Passion, Modern Concerns
The derby maintained an old-fashioned allure in its buildup and atmosphere, contrasting with modern football’s evolving landscape. The January encounter marked the first evening kick-off between Roma and Lazio in five years, a scheduling decision repeated on Sunday. Future evening derbies are uncertain. Pre-match tensions resulted in reported injuries to thirteen police officers attempting to separate rival Ultras groups outside the stadium.
Spectacular Fan Displays
Amidst the familiar challenges of derby day, the Stadio Olimpico showcased the captivating power of organized fan culture at its finest. Roma, designated as the ‘away’ team, occupied the Curva Sud, yet their space was ample enough to stage a breathtaking homage to Agostino Di Bartolomei, the iconic captain who led Roma to their second Serie A title in 1983.
Lazio’s supporters’ display was equally stunning, transforming the stadium into a visual history of Rome with a series of striking images against a backdrop of sky blue, mirroring their team colors.
Game Fails to Ignite
Regrettably, the match itself failed to match the spectacle in the stands. With Champions League qualification at stake, both teams started the weekend in sixth and seventh place, respectively, trailing the coveted spots by a few points. Knowing Bologna, previously fourth, had lost earlier in the day, heightened the pressure.
However, both teams appeared weary rather than energized, adopting a slow tempo and early time-wasting tactics. Lazio’s fatigue was perhaps understandable, following a disheartening Europa League quarter-final defeat midweek. Roma, with a full week to prepare, surprisingly seemed more lethargic.
Tactical Tweaks and Wide Play Dominance
Questions arose whether Ranieri’s tactical adjustments backfired. He deviated from his usual 3-4-2-1 formation to a 4-2-3-1. The strategy aimed to utilize Alexis Saelemaekers and Matías Soulé to contain Lazio’s full-backs, but Lazio, Biancocelesti, effectively controlled the flanks.
Svilar’s Saves and Romagnoli’s Goal
Roma’s goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, was promptly called into action, making a crucial save to deny Alessio Romagnoli’s header. Gustav Isaksen exploited space against Angeliño, forcing Svilar into another save at his near post. Svilar comfortably handled subsequent shots from Isaksen before halftime, but his workload was considerable.
Svilar was eventually beaten shortly after halftime by another Romagnoli header, this time from a left-wing free-kick. Roma’s defensive marking proved inadequate, allowing multiple Lazio players to breach their defensive line.
Soulé’s Stunning Equalizer
Roma’s response was initially muted. Christos Mandas, Lazio’s goalkeeper, made a notable save in the 54th minute, deflecting Gianluca Mancini’s glancing header from a corner. An equalizer seemed unlikely until Soulé produced a moment of brilliance with 20 minutes remaining.
Saelemaekers advanced from the left flank into the attacking midfield area, the ‘trequarti’. Soulé moved towards him from the opposite side, requesting the ball. Saelemaekers passed it across, and the Argentinian, facing a wall of nine Lazio defenders, unleashed a remarkable first-time shot that struck the underside of the crossbar before settling into the net.
Derby Draw: Bittersweet Ending
Soulé’s exceptional goal secured a 1-1 draw, a result that served neither team’s European aspirations. For Ranieri, it was a mixed outcome: maintaining his undefeated record in Rome derbies but failing to secure a final victory.
“I reflected on that before and after,” he commented. “As a supporter, finishing undefeated is wonderful, although I would have preferred to conclude with a win. But that’s football: sometimes it brings joy, sometimes less so. Acceptance is key.”
Ranieri’s Future Role
He expressed nostalgia for the derby atmosphere – “the packed Olimpico, captivating and deeply emotional” – but his connection to it will continue. Roma’s director of football, Florent Ghisolfi, confirmed Ranieri’s transition to a “sporting advisor” role after this season.
Ranieri is already involved in selecting his successor. Ghisolfi stated they have narrowed down the candidates to a “final few.” Beforehand, six games remain, with European qualification still the objective. Despite Roma’s extended unbeaten run, Ranieri faces ongoing team selection challenges.
In recent matches against Juventus and Lazio, Roma appeared more potent with Eldor Shomurodov joining Artem Dovbyk upfront in the second half. However, Ranieri noted starting both limits his in-game tactical flexibility. These dilemmas will soon become someone else’s responsibility, unless Ranieri reconsiders retirement once again, defying expectations.