12 derbies to watch for across Europe for the rest of this season
By Durim Halimi
Name a day better than derby day. I’ll wait…
Football is the most popular sport on the planet because of the passion generated by supporters in the stands. Fans truly take on the role of a 12th man and influence momentum during a game, especially when the clash on hand is a derby. UEFA has 55 member nations, so finding a derby across Europe is a relatively easy task.
In most leagues, the second half of the season is underway and there are innumerable derbies to track in every corner of Europe. For this article, however, I have selected 12 notable derbies, most of which are in Europe’s top leagues, for neutral fans of European football to keep an eye on as the season progresses in different countries.
Keep in mind that rivalries develop over time for a wide range of reasons. Some derbies stem from local or regional rivalries, whereas others are created through close and regular competition in domestic league action. The 12 derbies that have been selected in this article reflect both types of rivalries. The derbies have been organized by dates, with the first derby taking place next weekend in the Italian capital. Without further delay, here are the 12 derbies you should make note of on your calendars for the remainder of this season.
Roma vs. Lazio (01/26)
Roma and Lazio will head into battle for the 173rd time when they meet next Sunday. The derby between Roma and Lazio, which is known as the Derby della Capitale, makes headlines in Rome, and across Italy, every year. For the locals, a win over their rivals is perceived as more precious than winning the Scudetto. Roma have a better record in this derby with 71 wins compared to Lazio’s 53 victories.
The last meeting between these clubs ended in a 1-1 draw. Lazio are currently third in the Serie A and enjoy a seven-point lead over fifth-placed Roma, and they hope to extend the gap over their city rivals with a significant victory. Their shared stadium, the Stadio Olimpico, will be booming on January 26th and you will regret missing this clash.