Italian Serie A Weekend Preview
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri insists his team is still alive in the race for the Serie A title.
The Giallorossi, who travel to Tuscany to face Fiorentina on Sunday, are nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan, with the latter having a game in hand.
Roma have been trying to turn up the title heat on Inter and go into this weekend's game on the back of four straight wins, taking them level on 41 points with second-placed AC Milan.
"It's clear that it's going to be very hard to catch Inter," Ranieri said.
"But my side are in good form and ready to battle.
"We are used to playing catch-up with Inter and in football you must always believe it is possible and Roma does.
"We have caught AC Milan but they, like Inter, also have a game in hand.
"We must remain calm because we have two very difficult months ahead of us.
"You always need character and give everything on the pitch; that is what I demanded from my players when I arrived."
Since replacing Luciano Spalletti back in September, Ranieri's Roma have lost just three of their 19 games.
Inter, who remain unbeaten at home in Italy's top flight this season, go into Sunday's encounter against Cagliari fully rested after last weekend's match at Parma was postponed due to snow.
New AC Milan signing Mancini could make his debut with the Rossoneri at Bologna this weekend after the Brazilian joined them on loan from Inter.
AC Milan coach Leonardo will be hoping his compatriot can inspire the Rossoneri to return to winning ways with his side having dropped four points in their last two encounters.
Strugglers Juventus hope fourth-placed Napoli lose at Udinese as they look to close the four-point gap to the southern side, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
Juve are away to promoted side Livorno looking to halt their four-match winless run. If results go their way, Sampdoria could end up holding the last European qualifying spot this weekend.
Luigi Del Neri's side travel to rock-bottom Siena, just one point behind fifth-place Juventus and Palermo, who are level on 34 points with the Turin outfit.
Palermo will fancy their chances when they host Parma on Saturday with the Sicilian outfit unbeaten at La Favorita this season.
Bari make the journey to Bergamo to face relegation-threatened Atalanta in buoyant mood after last weekend's 4-2 triumph over Palermo.
The outcome lifted Bari, who gained promotion to the top flight last summer, 12 points clear of the drop zone.
Lazio go into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico against Catania knowing that a defeat will see them drop into the relegation zone.
The Rome side are just two points clear of their 18th-placed opponents.
Genoa striker Robert Acquafresca is set to play in Sunday's game against Chievo having returned to the club after a six-month loan spell with Atalanta.
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