Modern era Italian capital clubs combined XI: best of Roma and Lazio

Left back: Sinisa Mihajlovic (Roma and Lazio)
Controversial Croatia-born Mihajlovic, joint-top scorer of free kicks in Serie A history, arrived in Italy in 1992 with Roma for a relatively short stint, which he described as “the two worst seasons of my entire career”. Ouch. With a stop-off at Sampdoria sandwiched in between, the man with the magic left peg then returned to Rome to help Lazio to a domestic double.

Defensive midfield: Daniele de Rossi (Roma)
Loyal midfield shield and Giallorossi stalwart De Rossi is the definition of a one club man and is the heartbeat of his hometown team. A fantastic all-rounder blessed with vision, tenacity and a vicious long-range strike, the 31-year-old has just two Coppa Italia titles to show for his 14 seasons and 485 outings, finishing runner-up in Serie A an astonishing six times.

Right midfield: Paul Gascoigne (Lazio)
Mercurial English talent Gascoigne enthralled Italy for just two full terms during a troubled time with the Eagles, with his most memorable moment an 89th minute equaliser in a Rome derby, earning the attacking midfielder adoration from fervent Lazio fans.

Left midfield: Pavel Nedved (Lazio)
Nifty Czech schemer Nedved made his name at the Stadio Olimpico long before heading north to Juventus, and assisted the Eagles’ late 90s and early 00s silverware success, making waves in Europe and snatching a Serie A title over five terms.

Attacking midfield: Francesco Totti (Roma)
Think Roma, think Totti. The Giallorossi talisman, now 38, is still going strong in his 23rd season with the Italian capital club. Captain, icon and all-time top scorer, Totti (15/8 to score anytime) holds the record for most Roma appearances, and the creative forward has also bagged a sole Scudetto.

Centre forward: Gabriel Batistuta (Roma)
Nicknamed “Batigol”, the prolific and powerful Argentina poacher arrived in Rome at the back end of his career, but his presence, and 20 league goals in 28 games, helped spur the Giallorossi to a first Serie A title since 1983 in 2001.

Centre forward: Miroslav Klose (Lazio)
Lazio’s lethal marksman Klose is in his fourth season at the Stadio Olimpico, having poached 55 goals and collected a Coppa Italia medal along the way. The 2006 World Cup Golden Shoe winner has been a key component in the Eagles’ recent return to prominence.

Take a peek at Klose’s Eagles antics:

Subs: Doni; Walter Samuel; Emerson; Juan Sebastian Veron; Vincenzo Montella; Marcelo Salas; Hernan Crespo