Lazio can help Roma win the Scudetto this evening, but Francesco Totti can’t bring himself to cheer on his rivals!
The Biancocelesti take on leaders Inter tonight at the Olimpico and a positive result could help Roma close the four-point gap at the top.
The possibility of the Serie A title is still not enough to convince Er Pupone to pull on a Lazio scarf.
“I can never cheer on Lazio, there is absolutely no doubt about it! Even if the table says otherwise, because it would be convenient if Inter did lose.
“If someone asks me to say Forza Lazio, I reply no thanks…”
Yet the rivalry between these two clubs goes even deeper than that, according to former Lazio Coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
He was on the Biancocelesti bench on May 5, 2002 when they beat Inter 4-2 to hand Juventus the Scudetto on the last day of the season – although Roma were also in the running that weekend.
“The pressure soon started from the Lazio fans and the talk radio stations. There were even threats and in some cases suggestions like ‘shoot at the advertising boards,’” revealed Zac.
“In fact, I had to deal with many players pulling out. I had to rely on those who would not back down, people like Jaap Stam, Giuliano Giannichedda and Dejan Stankovic.”
Inter had actually been on 2-2 at half-time and only needed a draw to take the title, but in the second half conceded from Diego Simeone and Simone Inzaghi to lose 4-2.
“There were two decisive factors that day. Inter were psychologically unprepared for any difficulties. They were convinced they had already won and the fans spent the afternoon sewing the badge on to their scarves.
“Secondly, the Lazio fans jeered Karel Poborsky because they considered him an ‘enemy’ as he was friends with Pavel Nedved.
“The lad heard the chants when he was in the players’ tunnel and was so angry he became incredibly motivated. In fact, as soon as he scored the two goals he ran under the Lazio fans and insulted them.”
If anything, Zaccheroni sees Inter in a worse condition now than they were in 2002.
“At the time it was a psychological issue, as they were convinced the Scudetto was in their pocket and collapsed at the first sign of trouble.
“This time I get the feeling the psychological issues are joined by physical ones. After losing to Liverpool there was a short-circuit in the Inter system.”
