Claudio Ranieri feels that Roma have the edge in the derby. “Lazio know that sooner or later they will lose. Their biggest fear is that it will be against us.”
The Giallorossi are trailing badly in the Serie A standings, a full 10 points behind their arch rivals ahead of the Sunday afternoon showdown.
“I won't talk about Lazio or make comparisons,” warned the Coach. “Roma are Roma, I have never been remotely interested in anyone else.
Claudio Ranieri feels that Roma have the edge in the derby. “Lazio know that sooner or later they will lose. Their biggest fear is that it will be against us.”
The Giallorossi are trailing badly in the Serie A standings, a full 10 points behind their arch rivals ahead of the Sunday afternoon showdown.
“I won't talk about Lazio or make comparisons,” warned the Coach. “Roma are Roma, I have never been remotely interested in anyone else.
“There isn't any difference in quality between the two sides, it is merely down to this moment in the standings. They are two teams battling for the top spots and we'll see who is up there come the end of the season.”
The Biancocelesti are the surprise leaders and are unbeaten since the opening weekend, but Ranieri believes it is only a phase – and they know it.
“Lazio know that sooner or later they will lose. Their biggest fear is that it will be against us. They will be extremely tense.
“This cannot ever be a match like the others, as the derby is the derby. There are no favourites. I hope it will be a spectacle of pure sport and let the best side win. We'll both give it our all, but within the rules of the game.”
Roma are coming off two consecutive morale-boosting victories over Lecce and Basel, but have lost Francesco Totti to a one-match ban.
There has been an injury boost, as Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro, Matteo Brighi and Adriano are back in the squad, though Juan pulls out.
“Nicolas is ready and will play. David and Matteo had light injuries and it's reassuring to have them available for selection.
“We will miss our captain and do everything we can to win for him, too. We are finding ourselves again, amid a thousand difficulties. The players want to overturn this negative moment, which is already behind us.”
Roma squad: Adriano, Baptista, Brighi, Borriello, G Burdisso, N Burdisso, Cassetti, Castellini, Cicinho, De Rossi, Greco, Julio Sergio, Lobont, Mexes, Menez, Perrotta, Pizarro, Riise, Rosi, Simplicio, Vucinic