Lazio vs AS Roma - Nainggolan talks up importance of Roma's derby with Lazio
Posted Saturday, December 03, 2016 by PA
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan is all too aware that there is much more than pride at stake in Sunday's Derby della Capitale.
The Belgian, who wore the armband when the Giallorossi beat Lazio 2-0 in November 2015 and starred when Roma thrashed their city rivals 4-1 in April, is wary of the much-improved Biancocelesti.
A single point separates second-placed Roma from Lazio, with strikers Edin Dzeko and Ciro Immobile spearheading their respective clubs with 21 league goals between them thus far.
Any winner at the Stadio Olimpico - expected to be half-empty as fans of both sides protest against increased security measures - will improve their chances of catching reigning champions Juventus.
Nainggolan told asroma.com: "Looking at the table, both teams can take motivation from being able to cut the gap on the leaders.
"It's always an important game but on this occasion a win would be massive for both clubs.
"They're still behind us in the table, but if they're having a good season then we are too.
"We have to be alert, but if we play the way we know we can then we're capable of getting the win."
Roma suffered an untimely setback heading into the Eternal City derby as influential winger Mohamed Salah was ruled out for three weeks with an ankle ligament injury.
A space has therefore opened up in the lethal front three - also comprising Dzeko and Diego Perotti - with Stephan El Shaarawy likely to get the nod on the right flank.
Nainggolan added: "Salah has been an important player, but in this kind of match whoever comes in to replace him will be determined to do well."
In a final appeal to the stay-away Giallorossi supporters, the 28-year-old said: "We miss the fans.
"They have their principles and we respect their decision to stick by them, but it's not easy to play without the Curva supporting you."
Lazio, the designated home team this weekend, must run the rule over Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is struggling for fitness following a training-ground knock.
His team-mate Lucas Biglia is keen to help the Biancocelesti bounce back from their spring humbling.
"I think we've deserved a bit more from recent derbies," the Argentinian told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We've kept that last result - a bad defeat - in our minds because we all want to make amends for it.
"This is a different game to all the rest but I have faith in the coach and my colleagues.
"We all want to do well and attack the match from a position of mental strength."
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