At a crossroads: Roma faces tough transition as fans abandon derby

Based on form alone, Roma doesn't have any reason to fret going into Sunday's derby against Lazio. Luciano Spalletti has reinvigorated the squad since his appointment in January, breathing new life into a team that lacked direction and imagination in the last few months of the Rudi Garcia era.

But there are both internal and external forces complicating Roma's resurgence. The very idea that the Derby della Capitale will be played in front of a crowd of just 10,000 spectators is a farce. Roma's hardcore fans have protested new security measures in the Stadio Olimpico for months, as local authorities have no intention of removing glass barriers in their end of the stadium.

In a rare show of solidarity, Lazio's ultras have vowed to abandon the derby as well. Despite the fierce animosity between the two factions of supporters, there is still a mutual understanding: ultras stick together in the face of the establishment, no matter their allegiances.

The expected absence of Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi from the fixture is also a blow to the image of this contest. Although neither player merits a spot in Roma's starting lineup at the moment, they are still Rome natives, and they personify the passion of the derby more than any of their other teammates.

"It's sad to think this could be Totti's final derby," said defender Antonio Rudiger. "Francesco's a legend and I'm sad to think that this could be his last game against Lazio."

Totti's future with the only professional club he has known is in serious doubt. The Giallorossi haven't exactly jumped at the opportunity to extend the 39-year-old's contract, which expires in the summer, and president James Palotta is reportedly pushing for the captain to retire.

De Rossi, meanwhile, looks more likely to leave altogether in the summer. He is Serie A's highest earner at €6.5 million per year, and he is clearly not in Spalletti's plans.

It is all proof that, from the fans to the players, the overwhelming mood is one of change. All the while, Roma is actually winning games. It's a peculiar situation, but Spalletti is making the tough decisions.

"It's difficult to coach this team without taking Totti into account," Spalletti said last month. "It's not easy to play him as much as he used to.

"It's right that he's praised and respected so much by everyone, and I really hope he can end this career honorably, following his heart."

Related: Roma denies Totti will play final year for free​

Pundits and supporters have criticised Spalletti for disrespecting club bannermen, while others have recognised the need to move on. The former Zenit St Petersburg manager is walking a tightrope here.

"It's not good, and I'm disappointed. Two players like that deserve better, it's the wrong course of action," former Roma manager Carlo Mazzone told Radio Onda Libera, as translated by Football Italia. "It doesn't sit well with me, two players like that deserve more respect. Totti is and has been a symbol, the same with De Rossi. I'm disappointed that my colleague is behaving like this."

But it's hard to argue with the results. Roma is back in third after falling off dramatically in the middle of the season, and much of that is down to Spalletti. He has used formations effectively according to the match at hand, and he has managed to get the best out of Stephan El Shaarawy, who for years struggled to simply stay fit.

If Roma can remain competitive during such a contentious period of transition, there is hope they can emerge as a big club both domestically and internationally. The capital club has spent so many years as the runner-up, finishing as Serie A's bridesmaid seven times over the past two decades. A lone Scudetto triumph in 2000-01 remains a high point for a fan base that celebrates derbies and titles won much the same way.

With Roma's new 52,000-capacity stadium expected to open in 2018, the fans will have a better environment in which to watch their team - no barriers to stop the ultras, no track around the field, a proper home to intimidate visiting teams, especially Lazio. Neither Totti nor De Rossi will be playing for Roma by then, no matter what happens, and the team will undoubtedly have more to identify itself with anyway.