Beleaguered Roma meet sparkling Lazio in city derby

Beleaguered Roma meet sparkling Lazio in city derbyMilan - Struggling giants Roma play an unusual minnow role in Sunday's derby against buoyant city rivals Lazio, who sit far above them in the Serie A standings.

Lazio, lying fourth on 22 points from 11 games, are just two points behind leading champions Inter Milan and go into the game at the Stadio Olimpico boasting an impressive record of 21 goals notched mostly by strikers Mauro Zarate and Goran Pandev.

The young Argentinian Zarate has scored seven goals, two more than his Macedonian striking mate, and is widely regarded as the best new arrival in the league.

"So far we have played a regular season. Actually, we are above our par," Lazio coach Delio Rossi said.

His colleague Luciano Spalletti cannot say the same of Roma's six defeats, an incredibly bad performance after two seasons closed in second position behind Inter.

The red-yellows, on eight points, lie just point above the three-team relegation zone, but could lightly improve their position through a game in hand against Sampdoria.

"Lazio must be complimented," veteran defender Christian Panucci said. "They are playing a great football, but we don't feel inferior to them, were it not for the standing."

"Upfront they are very good, but with our rear package, when we are in-form, we are a great defence. We can win."

The derby closes a weekend that opens Saturday evening, when Inter visit mid-table Palermo holding a one-point lead over AC Milan and Napoli, both on 23 points before playing Sunday at home to Chievo and away to Atalanta, respectively.

A winning run of four games has pushed Juventus back toward the upper tiers, a single point above their next opponents Genoa, who lie on 20 points next to Fiorentina.

The Turin side welcome their hosts Thursday evening due to a rugby game that Italy and Argentina play Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.

Juve, with Inter, have the league's best defence with seven goals conceded despite the long absence of star goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Austria's substitute Alex Manninger, however, faces major threats from Argentinian bomber Diego Milito, who leads the scorers' table on nine goals after a hat-trick scored against Reggina.

A close contender of Milito is Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino, on eight goals before an away game to Cagliari.

Udinese last week suffered a last-gasp 1-0 defeat at Inter, but are still level with Juve on 21 points when they host bottom side Reggina.

Catania sit comfortably at mid-table on 18 points before welcoming Torino, lowly Sampdoria welcome promoted Lecce and Siena entertain lowly newcomers Bologna. (dpa)

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