Gandini: The derby is unlike any other game

The Giallorossi face their city rivals at the Stadio Olimpico with more than just local supremacy at stake - with both sides currently near the top of the Serie A table and looking to push on even further.

"It doesn't take a genius to say a derby is unlike any other game," Gandini said. "I've been able to experience many over the course of my career albeit in completely different surroundings.

"It's my first Rome derby and it comes at a very important time of the season, with both sides showing that they are competitive. We're four points off the top and have strung together a good run of results at home. We're technically the away team albeit still playing at the Stadio Olimpico so we hope to continue our impressive sequence there.

"It's another step along the road but it has great importance in terms of the city bragging rights, which mean a lot to us. However, obviously it's a finely poised period of the season. We are about to embark upon a trio of big, top-level and crucial fixtures - the derby, AC Milan at home and Juventus away.

"It's important that we're ready to start this run of games in the right way, so we can stay up near the top and compete till the end."

The derby could be marked by another depressed attendance, with fans from both sides prepared to stay away over the continued presence of barriers in both Curvas.

Gandini insisted Roma are working as hard as they can to resolve the matter.

"All we can do is keep raising the issue with the authorities as to the need to consider the supporters peacefully returning to the stadium," he said. "This matter is on the agenda and it's one that is very important to us.

"We're not having the experience we're used to at the Stadio Olimpico, whereas we have a huge turnout on the road. The club supports this request, which comes directly from the players who would like to play in a setting they deserve."