Claudio Ranieri delivers pre-derby press conference

Here’s what our boss had to say.

Aside from Bryan Cristante, is everyone available? What does the derby mean to you, at this point in time?

“Everyone is in contention apart from [Mehmet] Celik – he’s got a fever and we’ll see if it clears up by tomorrow. For me, the derby is the city coming together, it’s the game to end all games. It hits you more than other matches. The league standings speak for themselves – Lazio have had a great first half of the season. They’ve been exceptional, playing pacy football, not messing about in their build-up play. They’re a team to be reckoned with. On the other hand, the derby is the derby and it has its own story.”

What did you learn from December? Do you have one standout derby memory as a fan? What’s your most memorable derby?

“As a young lad I’d watch games from the Curva Sud. Three-quarters of the people there were Roma fans, the other quarter were Lazio fans. Everyone was waiting for Dante [Ghirighini], the leader of the fans – he got all of the chants going. There was banter but not some of the other things that came later. December made us understand that we’re a proper team. The month brought us together. We have some flaws and we’re working to iron them out. We’re not 100% there yet in this regard, but we’re heading in the right direction. In terms of where we can get to, it’s hard to say, to be honest. We can only guarantee that we’ll give our best in every situation, in every match.”

In Sunday’s derby, the team will only be playing to win the game. For the fans it’s something much bigger. Do you see that as a good thing?

“If it only applies to the fans, then it applies to me too. So no, I don’t see it as a good thing per se, it evokes the same emotion in me as always. The derby is the derby. Just as Lazio care deeply about it and want to win, so do we. 

“You journalists out there have experienced other derbies, but this derby is the derby - everything that comes before is reset to zero. You always play with determination and the desire to do well. Anxiety is not a good motivator. Motivation comes from your awareness of the opponent’s strengths, of your strengths and trying to do what you can to win.”

There could be several derby debutants on Sunday. Does that work in your favour or not?

“I always believe that what works in our favour is fielding players who are in shape, who work well as a unit and as a team. What’s important is that they’re fit, mentally prepared and in tune with their team-mates. That’s what I’m after.”

You’ve always had nice things to say about Lorenzo Pellegrini, including in a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. Why don't you play him? Is it a technical decision?

“It’s a psychological decision. Technically, as I’ve always said, he’s one of the best midfielders in Europe. There are few midfielders who get goals and any team with a player like this should cherish them. It’s the issue with the fans that’s gnawing away at him. I have to take into account if it affects a player or not. He takes all of the issues to heart -  that’s his weakness. He should just play naturally, like he used to do. Only in this way can he get back to being the player that he is. He’s playing with a burden on his shoulders.

“If he makes just half a mistake, he feels the weight of negativity and responsibility. If a player who the fans are on board with makes a mistake, nothing happens. I have to keep this in mind. When I feel that he’s calm enough I’ll give him a game, just as I had no problem putting him on at San Siro, when he nearly got a goal. As I’ve said before, he’s got the ability to get in the box and score a goal when it’s really needed.”

Are you planning anything special to deal with the players on the flanks? 

“[Marco] Baroni’s team have really hit the nail on the head. Their flank play is good, as is their interior play. They play with great pace and always hit teams on the counter incredibly quickly. I take everything into consideration, just as I believe that Baroni will take Roma’s qualities into consideration.”

Roma go into this derby behind Lazio in the league standings, as was the case in your last one in 2010, when your team won 2-0. On the eve of that game you said that all of the pressure was on them. Do you see any parallels with that game right now?

“No, and in terms of player management derbies require no motivation. The fans make you experience it through their behaviour. We hosted an open training session at Tre Fontane as a happy new year gesture, and it really fired the fans up ahead of the derby. We did it for our fans and for their families. They didn’t owe us anything – they already give us enough love every matchday.

“Anyway, Lazio are right up there, they’re in the Champions League places. Obviously they know that they want to make it into that competition. They don’t want to slip down the league. Maybe I’m being verbose here, but every derby is different. The league standings don’t factor in – they have no bearing. Once the referee has blown his first whistle it’s as if there will be several matches within the match.”

You’ve already coached in four derbies, winning them all. Baroni is making his Rome derby bow. Will this count in your favour?

“I don’t think it’s decisive. He’ll be on autopilot, as will his Lazio side – we have to be aware of that. He’ll experience the beauty of the derby as a coach. There’s a different responsibility being a coach compared to being a player, but that’s all. He’ll be on autopilot.”

It seems that the fans are getting back on board with this Roma team. Has peace been made or are we still on the path to reconciliation?

“I think we’re all united – the owners, the masseurs, the kitmen and the medical staff. We’re all here trying our best. The fans are also doing their part. Have we made peace? As I’ve always said, you don’t question Roma; you love her. I’ve always loved Roma and always will do, through thick and thin. A former President even went as far as arranging  a whip round many years ago. The Friedkins have poured a lot of money into the team – it’s time to give them something to smile about.”