Ahead of the highly anticipated Derby del Sole in which Roma is hosting Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on match-week 13 of the 2025/26 campaign, the Get Italian Football News team had Il Romanista journalist Andrea Di Carlo exclusively preview the significant match-up.

As it stands, the Giallorossi currently sit in second place with 27 points as they have a game-in hand to Milan, whom possess 28 points. Meanwhile, Napoli grip onto third with 25 points, two-points away from the Capital club. 

A victory for Roma would move coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s side two points clear of Milan at the summit, sending shock-waves across the nation and demonstrating that they are indeed title contenders.

Di Carlo was first asked to provide his insight on the fixture and describe what Roma must do tactically in order to pull an upset against the Partenopei.

“It’s a fascinating match, another test of maturity for Gasperini’s Roma. I believe that to win the match, the Giallorossi will simply have to continue playing as they have done so far: with great intensity, pace, and dynamism, aiming to consolidate the defensive solidity they’ve demonstrated so far in the league.”

In addition, Di Carlo was asked to provide his perspective on well the former Atalanta coach has done so far at the helm of the Giallorossi since taking over from Claudio Ranieri this summer, as Roma have currently won 4 of their 5 last outings, they only lost 3 of their first 12 games, two of them included Milan and Inter, they are currently the best defensive team of the league with only 6 goals conceded thus far.

“Roma’s performance so far has been absolutely astonishing, both in terms of the number of wins, steady growth, as well as their ability to quickly develop a footballing vision very similar to Gasperini’s.

Roma have a very high points average, but in truth, throughout the 2025 calendar year, the Giallorossi’s performance has been impressive. Gasperini is proving to be a coach capable of maximizing the value of his squad like no other: many players who were supposed to leave in the summer are now finding a central role in his coaching project. In short, it’s not the past that matters, only the present; only the pitch matters”.

Finally, Di Carlo was asked to pick out his key player from the Giallorossi who he feels will have a big impact against Coach Antonio Conte’s side.