The powers that be at the Stadio Olimpico have confirmed the official line ups for this evening. �s highly anticipated Derby della Capitale, and the s...
The powers that be at the Stadio Olimpico have confirmed the official line ups for this evening. �s highly anticipated Derby della Capitale, and the selection from the Roma bench speaks volumes about their tactical ambition for this fixture. The Giallorossi have handed starting berths to the Argentine maestro Paulo Dybala and the Dutch attacker Donyell Malen, a pairing that promises to give a good account of themselves against their bitter cross town rivals. However, the Nigerian football faithful will note that Matias Soulé, the promising Argentine youth international, has been relegated to the bench for this encounter, a decision that has raised eyebrows among those who expected him to feature more prominently in the scheme of things. On the other side of the divide, Lazio have named a formidable eleven of their own, with the capital club. �s defence expected to be tested by the clinical finishing of Dybala and the raw pace of Malen. The lion. �s share of the pre match discussion has centred on how Roma. �s attacking trio will fare against Lazio. �s resolute backline, and the early indications suggest a cracker of a contest at the Stadio Olimpico. At the end of the day, this is a derby where form often goes out of the window, and the team that can keep their composure in the heat of the battle will likely claim the bragging rights. Over in the viewing centres of Surulere and the bustling football hubs of Abuja, the atmosphere is electric as fans gather around giant screens to watch the action unfold. Many of the local supporters are animatedly discussing whether the decision to bench Soulé could be a tactical ploy by the Roma manager, while others are simply eager to see if Dybala can produce a moment of magic to settle this grudge match. The noise grows louder with every near miss, and when the first goal goes in, the viewing centres will erupt in a chorus of cheers and groans that is the very lifeblood of Nigerian football culture.
