ROME — Claudio Ranieri has once again proven to be an asset for AS Roma, as he maintained his flawless record in the capital derby with a 2-0 victory over Lazio in Serie A on Sunday. This triumph provided a much-needed lift for Roma during what has been a challenging season so far.
The match saw Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini score the first goal with a well-placed curling shot from the outskirts of the area, followed by Alexis Saelemaekers, who capitalized on a counterattack to double the lead just 18 minutes into the game. Ranieri’s achievement now stands at five derby victories out of five while coaching Roma. This marks his third managerial role with the team this season, following the dismissals of Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric. Notably, his previous derby wins were during his first term as Roma’s head coach from 2009 to 2011, along with a brief return in 2019.
“The coach is a legend of Rome. We all know it and we’re all happy for him,” said Saelemaekers, praising Ranieri for his impact. “He took over the team in a tough moment, reset the entire group, and improved the mentality.” Ranieri has also led other major Italian clubs in high-stakes derby matches, achieving victories with Inter Milan, Juventus, and Sampdoria.
“The coach acts as a counterpoint for the derby,” Ranieri remarked. “If the squad is lacking energy, you need to provide energy. Usually, the team has enough energy for the derby, and the coach doesn’t need to add anything. I just try to keep the players serene and calm so they can give everything they can on the pitch.”
Best known for orchestrating a historic Premier League title win with Leicester City in 2016, Ranieri did face criticism in England for his frequent player rotations, a habit that earned him the nickname “The Tinkerman.” In the previous season, he successfully helped Cagliari avoid relegation but had intended for that to be his final role. However, he accepted the challenge with Roma when called upon in November, as his contract includes a transition to an executive position after the season, giving him a role in selecting the next coach for the team.
With this win, Roma improved their position to 10th place, having secured three victories in their last five Serie A matches, while Lazio remains in fourth. Pellegrini’s goal was significant, easing the pressure he has faced from the club’s supporters this season.
In a chaotic pre-match event, a car was ignited outside the Stadio Olimpico about an hour before kickoff due to fireworks fired by rival fans attempting to close in on one another.
In other matches on Sunday, Cagliari rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 win against last-place Monza, thanks to goals from Nadir Zortea and Roberto Piccoli. Meanwhile, matches between Torino and Parma, as well as Lecce and Genoa, ended in goalless draws.
