Rome: Days after the Azzurri’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, followers of Italian football can console themselves with a big weekend in Serie A.
Six of the top seven teams in the Italian league play one another, highlighted by Roma v Lazio in the Rome derby on Saturday, and leaders Napoli’s match against AC Milan.
The first derby since longtime Roma captain Francesco Totti retired is the most-anticipated meeting between the capital’s two clubs in years.
Both Lazio and Roma have had strong starts to the season and sit fourth and fifth respectively in the standings with only one point separating them.
Roma boast the league’s best defence, having conceded just seven goals in 11 games, while Lazio have scored more than 30 goals this season.
Roma may want to keep something in reserve for Wednesday’s visit to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
After losses to Lazio, Roma, Inter and Juventus, big-spending Milan are in desperate need of a big win to provide job security for embattled manager Vincenzo Montella.
