Latest news with #DerbydellaCapitale
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
From Corinthians to Colosseum - Megan Connolly loving Roman reign
Getting barracked by scowling supporters wasn't what Megan Connolly envisaged, especially in the land of His Holiness. Nothing the Corkwoman had encountered in her career at home, America or England prepared her for the hostility awaiting in the Rome derby. Lazio against Roma is a big deal regardless of gender. Fans from both sides attend men's and women's clashes, applying equality in their approaches to goading opposition players. Connolly was soon exposed to the Derby della Capitale on her debut last August, a feisty 2-2 draw. Playing in the English Women's Super League for Brighton and then Bristol City had brought pressure but this was far more overt. 'You hear so much about the derby but I didn't know what to expect and it was quite a shock,' recalls the Ireland defender. 'There are rivalries in England but it is just a bit different here. Among the Roma fans, you have grown men shouting at you. I still enjoyed the atmosphere and hopefully we can beat them twice next year.' Connolly has reason to be confident. Lazio finished the season strongly by winning seven of their last eight games, albeit it was in the lower half of a split from midseason. She'd snapped a six-year spell in England to try the Continental route. Contractual uncertainty accompanied her on the trip and there was the language barrier but she's content with how her maiden season unravelled. So too were her employers to the point they granted a two-year contract extension. 'While I took quite a big risk to go there, I look back on it as such a great decision for me personally and for my career,' said Connolly. 'At the start it was quite difficult. It was quite a big change moving from England, going to a new culture, a new everything. 'But once you immerse yourself in the culture, learn from it and your Italian teammates, it helps. 'However, the language is quite difficult. That was never my forte in school. I'm doing lessons but I'm not sure if it's making much of a difference for me!' This time last year, the sister of Cork GAA footballer Luke was back home surveying her future options. Yet the wait until August for the Italian job was one she reflects on fondly. 'At that point of my career, there were certain things that I value quite a lot,' she explained about her mindset. 'I'd been at Brighton and then captained Bristol City. 'I had some great relationships and great experiences but knew what I wanted. For the next move I wanted to go somewhere playing football where I could kind of develop my football and also have that feeling of being a key player; someone who could implement their leadership, my style of play, and everything I bring to the pitch. 'I waited for a bit and Lazio came in. As soon as I got the first phone call, I knew straight away. It's hard to put into words the feeling but it was exactly what I was waiting for the whole time. "I got that feeling of a club who were ambitious, had a style of play, and a manager who valued me. 'Looking back on it now, it panned out how I had hoped for. The waiting paid off.' Besides an injury which also kept her out of the April international camp, Connolly has been a mainstay at Lazio. She even chipped in with a sublime goal against Napoli to further endear her to the fanbase. 'It was disappointing to miss out on the top half by just one result and I'm glad they're adding two teams next year to remove the split,' the 28-year-old says. By then, she'll have broadened her knowledge of the Italian capital. Connolly is based in Formello, a brief 25 jaunt from the centre, and she doesn't pass up opportunities of exploring the famous city. 'In the first few months it was more a case of trying to survive, adapt and get the football stuff sorted,' she outlines about the transition. 'Once things on the pitch were going well and I was settled in, I went out a bit more to experience the culture. It's been quite nice, such a beautiful place and city. 'You can turn any corner walking through the city and find a new landmark that you didn't even know. 'You won't get to see everything you want food wise. When I go into the centre there's so many food places, even places you wouldn't think are restaurants. Then you go into the back of them and it's a proper cultural experience. 'Being there for the next two years it will be nice to get out and experience new cultures and restaurants. It's been fantastic and not the worst place to live. Bristol and Brighton were lovely in different ways!' She's in Turkey for Friday's penultimate Uefa Nations League fixture before returning to familiar territory next week. Páirc Uí Chaoímh for the visit of Slovenia on Tuesday evokes happy memories, the most recent her assist for Anna Patten in last July's 3-1 win over France. There'll be droves of young girls in attendance, idolising locals Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan and Saoirse Noonan for their exploits. 'I know that my former club Corinthians have a great underage programme in Cork, so having an international game right around the corner from where they're all training is fantastic. 'The club did a great gesture after the World Cup by putting the banner up on the main pitch. That's always there. Recently one of the teams won the league and got their picture in front of the banner. "It's always nice to see; reminding me of where I come from. I try to give back whenever I'm home by going up there.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranieri: ‘Roma faced Inter with determination to win'
Claudio Ranieri explains how Roma visited Inter with 'the determination to make the fans proud and try to win' even though they could've scored more goals in the 1-0 result. The Giallorossi extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 18 rounds with this morale-boosting victory at San Siro, keeping them in the hunt for European qualification. Advertisement 'We dedicate this to our fans, as we missed them not being here. We came here with the determination to make them proud of us and to win. We said if it goes wrong, we leave with heads held high, but why not try to win?' Ranieri told DAZN. Roma fans are starting their travel ban following the crowd trouble around the Derby della Capitale. 'The first half-hour was excellent, Inter are a very strong team, so after that we were diligent to close down every chance they tried to create.' They pulled a surprise with the starting XI tonight, using Matias Soulé wide right, using Eldor Shomurodov and Artem Dovbyk together. Advertisement 'We used Rensch wide against Udinese, but it was the same basic system. I told the lads we had to replay that approach, we tried it again and again in training, they did it very well. 'I am really happy for the fans and the players, all the sacrifices they made. We had never beaten one of the big clubs this season, but we came here to San Siro and beat the leaders. 'Now we've got to focus on Fiorentina next, as they are a good team in excellent form too.' Ranieri plunges Inter into crisis MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Matías Soule of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) This result seems to have plunged Inter into a genuine crisis, as it was their third consecutive defeat between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, all without scoring a single goal. Advertisement Meanwhile, Roma have won eight games by 1-0 results in this run and showed remarkable defensive solidity. 'It's a pity we didn't score more, we've had a lot of 1-0 wins while wasting many scoring opportunities, but it's the three points that count.' Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Inter 0-1 Roma These are the final games of his coaching career, but Ranieri is again adamant he will retire at the end of the season, no matter how much players, fans and the media beg him to reconsider. 'I am honestly already thinking about Fiorentina, so I will enjoy it when it's all over. What's important for me is to make the fans happy. Advertisement 'I already handed in my coaching badges at Coverciano. I know I will miss the pitch, but I'll have my little garden to tend instead,' smiled Ranieri. It was a tough week for the Eternal City with the death and funeral of Pope Francis, where both Roma and Lazio squads paid their respects over the last few days. 'Naturally, I was moved when we saw the Pope and again today during the minute's silence. These are intense moments for someone who tried to help the church, but above all tried to help those who needed it the most,' concluded Ranieri. 'I hope his example will be followed in future, otherwise it's all futile.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lazio and Roma fans banned from away games after violent clashes
Lazio and Roma fans banned from away games after violent clashes Lazio and Roma fans banned from away games after violent clashes Following the violent clashes before the Derby della Capitale, both Lazio and Roma supporters are banned from attending the next three Serie A away fixtures. The game ended 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, but the trouble was before kick-off, when both sets of supporters tried to face off in the streets around Ponte Milvio and were kept apart by a police cordon. Advertisement When they were unable to attack each other, the ultras turned on the police instead, throwing bottles and other objects. The local authorities generally restrict the high-risk games like the Rome Derby from being played in the evening to avoid crowd trouble. Lazio and Roma fans given travel ban ROME, ITALY – APRIL 13: A general view as fans of AS Roma form a TIFO and raise banners prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on April 13, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by) Now they have reacted by banning both Lazio and Roma supporters from buying tickets for the next three Serie A away matches. The Interior Minister has also ordered that from next season, high-risk fixtures will be scheduled during the daytime and not in the evening. It is believed that earlier kick-offs make it easier to police the situation.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lazio-Roma at risk of postponement
Lazio-Roma at risk of postponement The highly anticipated Derby della Capitale between Roma and Lazio is at risk of being postponed. A powerful snowstorm hit Norway last night and tonight's Europa League match at 18:45 between Bodo Glimt and Lazio is at risk. Advertisement The Biancocelesti will take to the field in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals and the kick-off of the capital derby with Roma is scheduled for Sunday 13 April at 20:45. The UEFA summit will be held at 10:30 where clubs and local authorities will participate. One of the options on the table involves postponing the match and, again hypothetically, the match between the Biancocelesti and the Giallorossi could also be moved as a result of it, writes Corriere dello Sport. The official decision will be announced in the next few hours.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shomurodov hoping to start in Rome derby
Shomurodov hoping to start in Rome derby Eldor Shomurodov continues to thrive after being linked with an exit from Roma early on in January. Despite having been close to a move away from the Italian capital, the Uzbek striker has grown into a reliable option off the bench, scoring a vital goal in Roma's recent 1-1 draw with Juventus. Advertisement With the Derby della Capitale fast approaching, Shomurodov is hoping to make a surprise appearance from the start in Ranieri's line-up. According to Il Messaggero, Shomurodov and Dovbyk could feature in Ranieri's formation with Saelemaekers also back in the XI.
