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Totti prefers Champions League to Serie A

March 17, 2008 17:19 IST

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti has taken some of the heat out of Wednesday's city derby with Lazio by stating he would prefer to win the Champions League this season rather than Serie A.

Also read: Roma beat AC Milan

Second-placed Roma remain six points behind leaders Inter Milan after last weekend's action, although they cut the gap to three on Saturday by beating AC Milan 2-1 before Inter defeated Palermo by the same score on Sunday.

With 10 games remaining, the title race is very much on, especially given Inter's recent problems including Roberto Mancini announcing he would be leaving at the end of the season before changing his mind.

However, Totti is thinking about April's Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United and possibly overall European glory.

Also read: Roma knock Real out

"Certainly if I could choose, I would prefer the Champions League to the scudetto, but even if the title came along it wouldn't be bad," Totti told reporters.

The striker is a proud Roman though and despite his patchy form this season, he will be desperate to produce a winning performance against Lazio in the 2015 GMT kick off.

Roma won the first derby of the season in October 3-2.

Inter travel to Genoa for a 1930 kick off with Marco Materazzi suspended after another booking against Palermo.

All is still not well within the camp after striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacted angrily to being substituted on Sunday, but their general resolve is strong following the Champions League exit to Liverpool last week.

Third-placed Juventus, who beat Napoli 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Vincenzo Iaquinta's late strike, visit struggling Empoli with three players including Mauro Camoranesi set to return from suspension.

Fiorentina are four clear of Milan in the race for the fourth Champions League spot after Adrian Mutu returned from injury to inspire them to a 3-1 win over Genoa on Sunday.

A difficult trip to Napoli awaits on Wednesday, however, although Milan may be without Kaka and Clarence Seedorf because of back and leg injuries when they host in-form Sampdoria.

At the bottom, Livorno's Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia has a leg problem which may keep him out of Wednesday's home game with relegation rivals Reggina.

Source: REUTERS
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