Fansided

30 best soccer rivalries in the world

By Andrew Dowdeswell

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Alvaro Gonzalez (L) of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Francesco Totti of AS Roma during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on February 9, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Alvaro Gonzalez (L) of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Francesco Totti of AS Roma during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on February 9, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /

9. Roma vs Lazio

Roma and Lazio are two Italian giants, with giant fan bases and with great success. That is a recipe that leads to a great rivalry, and Derby della Capitale (Derby of the Capital) most certainly lives up to the billing. It is one of the most highly contested derbies in Europe, and historically has been marked with massive crowds, violence and more recently, racist undercurrents.

Roma was formed from a merger of Roman clubs when Facist dictator Mussolini pursued the idea of a soccer team that could represent him and the capital while challenging the more successful northern clubs based in Turin and Milan. The issue Mussolini faced with such a pursuit was Lazio, who were stubborn to resist such a merger, and thus, the Derby della Capitale was born.

With Lazio located in the northern parts of the city, surrounded by the upper-class culture of Rome, and Roma supported by the working class south parts of Rome, in the shared Stadio Olimpico, the two sets of supporters take their seats in the northern and southern halves of the stadium. The geographical divide of the teams drives the rioting and violence between the fans. It is not uncommon for deaths to occur, with many being hospitalized.

The stadium is often lit up with flares and banner, with the Lazio Ultras being famously racist, inciting anti-Semitic remarks and abusing black Roma players. One particular derby in 1998-99 season played host to a 50-meter banner which read “Auschwitz is your town, the ovens are your houses.” The rivalry is fiery and dangerous, and the anger and fear that is felt throughout the city is a staple of the Derby della Capitale.

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