(foto: Getty Images)
The Rome derby between Lazio and Roma is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, driven by politics, class, history — and explosive fan culture.
The Derby della Capitale is not just another derby — it’s a powder keg of passion, pride, and deep-rooted identity politics that has made it one of the most volatile and dangerous rivalries in world football.
When Lazio and Roma meet, the match isn't just about three points — it’s about control of Rome itself. For locals, it’s a rivalry that runs deeper than football. It's about which set of fans represents the true soul of the city, and that emotional charge often spills beyond the pitch.
A clash of identity and class
The rivalry dates back to 1927, when Roma was formed through a merger of three local clubs to rival the already-established Lazio, who were seen as more aristocratic and tied to the city’s upper classes. Roma, by contrast, was viewed as the people’s club, representing working-class neighborhoods and traditional Roman values.
These identity contrasts have fuelled tensions for nearly a century — and they’re reflected in the ultra cultures of both clubs. While Roma's Curva Sud is known for its left-leaning working-class base, Lazio’s Curva Nord has long had a reputation for far-right ideology among segments of its ultras.
Regularly marred by violence
Unlike other historic rivalries in Europe, the Rome derby is played by two clubs who share the same stadium, the iconic Stadio Olimpico. That proximity only intensifies the hatred — not only are fans forced to co-exist in the city year-round, but they also clash regularly in the same venue.
Over the years, derby day violence has become a grim tradition. Riots, flares, pitch invasions, and injuries are common. The most infamous incident came in 2004, when false rumours that a child had died after being struck by a police car led to mass riots inside the stadium and the match being abandoned.
In 2013, a Roma fan was stabbed to death ahead of the Coppa Italia final — another derby match. And just this past weekend, more than 20 police officers were injured after violent clashes in the streets around the Olimpico, leading Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri to describe the events as “urban warfare.”
Football, passion — and politics
The Derby della Capitale is a unique blend of sport and social tension, where football becomes a public battleground. The ultra groups on both sides are deeply political, tightly organised, and highly influential — and their rivalry often reflects wider societal fractures within Italian culture.
Matches are always played under heavy police presence, with over 2,000 officers deployed at the most recent derby. Still, violence regularly breaks out, both inside and outside the stadium.
Despite everything, it remains iconic
For all the chaos, the Rome derby remains one of football’s most iconic fixtures. The atmosphere inside the Olimpico is electric, the choreography spectacular, and the stakes — emotional, symbolic, and sporting — couldn’t be higher.
But until the darker side of fan culture is addressed more effectively, the Derby della Capitale will continue to be remembered as much for what happens off the pitch as on it.
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Written by Klemen Kos , football journalist with 20 years of experience.
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