Rome rivals prepare for Coppa clash

Little separates them in the Serie A, paving the way for an intriguing Coppa Italia derby between Lazio and Roma on Wednesday.

Both bring winning form into the quarter-final meeting, with Lazio holding league bragging rights at one spot and two points above their fourth-placed Rome rivals.

But while league status counts for little in the club competition, not even a 1-0 over Cesena in the Serie A on Sunday has totally eased the off-field woes of manager Claudio Ranieri and his Roma side.

Ranieri has had to hose down rumours of player discontent, with club legend Francesco Totti and star striker Mirko Vucinic both linked with transfers away from the club.

“Well, there are no bad moods, only reactions, but they’re positive,” Ranieri said.

“Those small episodes that did occur, I think, are due to a determination to do well. Everyone wants to be part of this recovery. I’ve said to them before that matches are decided in the last 15 minutes and players and teams with more skills have more chances, therefore I’ll do my best to play the last 15 minutes.”

Lazio clinched their own 1-0 league win on Sunday, at home against Sampdoria, though it was the title aspirants’ first win of 2011.

Still without injured striker veteran striker Tommaso Rocchi, Reja is likely to carry an unchanged team into the cup clash and is well aware of what is riding on the outcome.

“If we don’t win this match, we’re out,” he said.

“We’re aware of this as well as Roma. They will be playing both for the derby, and for the quarter-finals. I believe that both teams are aiming to get as high as possible. Therefore it’s going to be a very intense match.”