In one of the most important derbies in years, Roma and Lazio go head-to-head for second, writes Aman Sehdev.

The Derby Della Capitale is always one of the more hyped occasions in Italian football. The emotion, atmosphere and tension has been well documented for years. This season is no different, with both fixtures finally amounting to a Champions League qualification battle between the two eternal rivals not witnessed since the 2006-07 campaign.

Roma and Lazio have both been fairly inconsistent in challenging for Europe’s premier club competition at the same time. However in 2006-07 the Giallorossi and Biancocelesti were in the midst of a tussle to finish behind eventual champions Inter. Lazio won bragging rights in the first encounter, but Roma wrestled back the initiative later in the season and a 0-0 in the reverse saw the Lupi finish second, a massive 13 points ahead of third placed Lazio.

Perhaps no bigger period in recent memory typified Roman football than 1999-2001. During those campaigns Rome’s top two clubs each won a Scudetto, their last league titles to date. The 2000-01 campaign saw Roma crowned Champions by six points over third placed Lazio. A 1-0 Lupi victory and 2-2 draw effectively crushed the Biancocelesti’s dream of back to back titles.

This brings us to the present day. Roma and Lazio are separated by a single point with two games to go in the fight for second place and automatic Champions League qualification. Lazio, rather than their bitter rivals, have on paper a much tougher schedule as they must face Napoli at the San Paolo on the final day. Roma host a Palermo side with nothing to play for.

Thanks to Napoli’s 3-1 defeat to Juventus on Saturday, Roma have already secured at least a top three finish, while Lazio need only one point to join them. That actually makes it an even more intriguing encounter, because with the pressure largely off they can go all out for victory.

A draw on Monday evening would actually suit a Giallorossi side struggling for form and identity deep into the closing stages of the season. Roma would then need to defeat Palermo on the final day, with four points enough to guarantee finishing second.

Although Roma know that a win over Lazio would secure a second consecutive second place finish without the need for points on the final day, the chance of victory to also potentially dent Lazio’s hopes of even third place, with Napoli breathing down the Roman club’s necks, will make for another interesting caveat in this chapter.

Traditionally form and favourites go out the window on derby night, so it will be intriguing to see how Roma approach the contest mentally.

Giallorossi Coach Rudi Garcia recently stressed the importance of victory in the derby, but a point, much like the one gained earlier in the season, would put them on their way to retaining second. Indeed, three of the last four Serie A meetings between them have produced draws and Lazio haven’t won in the league against their Roman cousins since 2012.

This Rome derby, controversially moved to Monday to allow extra rest after Lazio’s Coppa Italia final will go a long way towards shaping the destiny of each club in their bid for Champions League qualification and indeed bragging rights in the city.

Roma sit in a slightly more comfortable place than Lazio and understand a draw wouldn’t be a bad result. A point would be enough to secure third place for Stefano Pioli’s men, but with second up for grabs, why not go for it?

Let's not forget there's a big difference between automatic qualification for the group phase and a dangerous preliminary round.

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