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Ranieri Eyes Final Derby as Roma and Lazio Battle for Champions League Berth

Posted : 10 April 2025

Claudio Ranieri is preparing for what could be his final Rome derby as he continues to guide Roma in their push for a Champions League spot. Since returning from retirement in November, the veteran coach has revitalized the team, helping them climb out of the relegation-threatened zone to within four points of Serie A’s top four.

 

 This weekend’s derby against Lazio carries high stakes, as both clubs are part of a tightly contested race for the final Champions League places, with Inter Milan and Napoli already pulling ahead in the title chase.

 

Roma currently sit in seventh place, two points behind Lazio in sixth, and have gone unbeaten in Serie A since a mid-December loss to Como. Their recent 1-1 draw with Juventus ended a seven-game winning streak but underscored the progress made under Ranieri, who became the team’s third manager of the season after Daniele De Rossi and a short-lived spell by Ivan Juric.

 

Despite increasing public support for him to remain, Ranieri has remained firm on his decision to step down at the end of the season, citing a desire to explore life beyond football after more than three decades in the sport.

 

Following the draw with Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon publicly questioned Ranieri’s insistence on leaving, calling it "absurd" in light of the transformation he has overseen. Ranieri responded by saying he had only intended to come back for Roma or Cagliari and that he hopes to discover what lies beyond football before his time runs out. Reflecting on his long journey through football, the 73-year-old remarked, “Big Ben has said ‘stop,’” indicating his retirement is final this time.

 

Lazio, meanwhile, are riding high after defeating Atalanta, a result that propelled them back into the Champions League conversation. The race for third and fourth remains incredibly tight, with just six points separating third-placed Atalanta and eighth-placed Fiorentina.

 

Lazio trail fourth-placed Bologna by two points and face a crucial run-in alongside other contenders like Juventus and Fiorentina. At the top, Inter and Napoli remain locked in the title race, with Napoli enjoying an easier fixture list as the season nears its conclusion.

 

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