THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[Carlo Romano]

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[i]One gets the impression that Inter and Roma have only just started thinking about this fixture, which is odd when you consider it has been the top of the table clash in each of the last two years. Both sides will not however underestimate the importance of their meeting this weekend, though, as it has profound implications for what remains of the 2008-09 season in Serie A.

Were Inter to win this weekend the championship would almost certainly be over. Beating a talented side such as Roma would give Juventus and Milan little hope of the Nerazzurri losing any more points from now until the end of the season. On the other hand, if Roma were to come away from San Siro with a win then the title race, depending on results elsewhere, would once again be declared open.

Inter have a fairly tough March when they will face fifth placed Genoa and fourth placed Fiorentina who could take advantage of the Nerazzurri’s preoccupation with Europe. And with a trip to Juventus still to come, neutrals will be hoping Roma strike a blow for Serie A and make it anything but a foregone conclusion.

Let’s not forget, Roberto Mancini’s Inter had a 12 point lead at the top of the table this time last year and could only secure the title on the final day of the 2007-08 season. Roma also need a victory to keep them in the hunt for the fourth and final Champions League spot. The Giallorossi currently lie sixth in Serie A, a point behind Genoa and two behind Fiorentina.




Francesco Totti and Christian Panucci are ready to face Inter tomorrow evening, but Roma look to be without David Pizarro. The bad news is that he still struggles with a swollen ankle, the same problem that limited him to only a substitute’s role against Arsenal midweek. It is most unlikely the midfielder will be able to face his former club at San Siro tomorrow night.

There were fears Er Pupone would miss out on Sunday night’s big match after he limped out of training yesterday with an inflammation of the right knee. However, he trained regularly today and seems to be in much better shape ahead of the big game.

Mirko Vucinic is now ready after playing only a handful of minutes at the Emirates, so he should start alongside Julio Baptista and Totti.

Simone Perrotta continues tests and treatment for a thigh strain that could keep him out for up to two months, while Juan, Simone Loria, Alberto Aquilani, Max Tonetto and Marco Cassetti are also sidelined.

The big news comes from Panucci’s inclusion in the squad list for the first time since his blazing row with Coach Luciano Spalletti. The defender refused to sit on the bench against Napoli in January and declared he would quit the club, but could not find a suitable alternative before the transfer window closed. He was taken off the Champions League list and has not even been named in the squad since then, but in an emergency situation with Juan absent, he apologised to Spalletti and is back in the fold.

Roma squad: Panucci, Cicinho, Mexes, Pizarro, Vucinic, Totti, Taddei, Motta, Filipe, De Rossi, Riise, Julio Baptista, Diamoutene, Montella, Menez, Artur, Julio Sergio, Doni, Brighi, Malomo.




Luciano Spalletti has forgiven Christian Panucci – sort of. “He apologised, but with a serious delay. He should’ve done so immediately.â€

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