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AS Roma aim to move level with AC Milan

Inter is top of the table with 58 points, four more than Milan, with Roma three points further back on 51. Inter meets Genoa on Sunday.

Roma has gone 16 league games without defeat but appeared lethargic during a 2-2 draw at Napoli in the most recent round of league matches and also when being knocked out of the Europa League by Panathinaikos.

Coach Claudio Ranieri is hoping to bring back a number of first-team players for the match, though talisman Francesco Totti is still absent with knee problems.

‘We are hopeful that we shall have Luca Toni and Julio Sergio back,’ Ranieri said. ‘It is early, but we are hopeful that David Pizarro will also return.

‘It will be a while longer before Francesco Totti is back,’ he said. ‘He’s a great man, but sometimes he pushes himself too much. He has tendinitis and isn’t recovering well. We aren’t worried though as we know that he will be back for the most important part of the season.’

Milan has injury worries of its own. It will be without leading scorer Alexandre Pato, who pulled a hamstring in the 3-1 win over Atalanta last weekend.

The Brazil forward is likely to be replaced in the attacking trio by compatriot Amantino Mancini, alongside Italy striker Marco Borriello and Ronaldinho.

‘Now we are even stronger mentally despite the four-point gap and believe we can win the title,’ Ronaldinho said. ‘We must never lose our faith. This Milan can go far. I am happy. Things are going well for me and that helps Milan be stronger too.

‘We are used to playing together and know each others’ move