News Focus
- The Derby della Capitale could leave its Sunday lunchtime slot
- Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has called the current plan an insult
- The Italian Open tennis final creates a clash at the same venue
- A Monday move would force four other fixtures to change dates
- The league will decide after this weekend’s round 36 matches
Serie A organisers are struggling to fix a date for the hotly-anticipated Derby della Capitale. The clash between AS Roma and SS Lazio may leave its planned Sunday lunchtime slot.
The match is set for the penultimate weekend of the 2025-26 season. AS Roma will welcome their bitter rivals to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, 17 May. The current plan is a 12:30 PM local time start.
SS Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri has hit out at the proposal. He called the lunchtime kick-off an insult to the capital. He also demanded that officials should quit over the decision. Sarri questioned why the Milan derby did not receive the same treatment.
The league picked this time for good reason. Several factors forced their hand. The Italian Open tennis final falls on the same day. The match might feature local star Jannik Sinner. This event takes place at the Foro Italico. This site sits next to the Stadio Olimpico.
Last season saw the same problem. The tennis final clashed with a Lazio versus Juventus match. Officials expect more trouble this time. The Rome derby always carries high tension. History shows violent clashes between fan groups.
Police have banned an evening kick-off. Past crowd trouble at this fixture forced this move. A later Sunday start would clash with the tennis. This is not possible.
Saturday is also out of the question. SS Lazio face Inter in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, 13 May. Three days rest is not enough.
Local leaders want smooth running for both events. They suggest moving the football to Monday, 18 May. However, this creates a new headache. AS Roma are chasing a Champions League place. Several other teams are also in this race.
Week 37 could decide who reaches Europe’s top competition. All matches involving these teams must kick off together. This rule ensures fair play.
So, if the Rome derby moves to Monday night, other games must follow. AC Milan versus Genoa, Juventus versus Fiorentina, and Como versus Parma could all shift. Even Napoli versus Pisa and Atalanta versus Bologna might move too.
No final decision exists yet. Reports suggest the league will wait. They will look at the results from round 36 this weekend. Then the picture for Champions League spots will be clearer.