Roma full-back Marco Cassetti hopes they can maintain their good recent record at San Siro this Sunday and defends teammate Cicinho from criticism.

“Now that Alberto Gilardino has started scoring again, Milan have become an even greater squad,” said the former Lecce star.

“It is no coincidence they won the Champions League, but we have always done well against them and last season won here 2-1, so we hope to repeat that result.”

The Giallorossi visited San Siro twice last term in Serie A and won on both occasions, defeating both Milan and Inter.

Confidence was boosted by their 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League midweek, although Cassetti was under fire for his stuttering performance in a more advanced role.

With Francesco Totti unlikely to recover from a bruised ankle in time to face Milan, Cassetti could be pushed up again on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Italian rushed to the defence of his teammate Cicinho, who has been blasted in the media for his disappointing campaign.

“He is an important player, as he wouldn’t have that CV if he didn’t have quality. Perhaps he is finding a few difficulties, as is normal for a foreigner in his first Serie A season.

“I think he just needs a little more time, but his quality should not be put in doubt.”

Francesco Totti has officially been ruled out of the Milan match, but his ankle injury also risks his place in Wednesday’s Rome derby.

The Roma captain is not in the squad named by Luciano Spalletti for the trip up to San Siro ahead of Sunday afternoon’s showdown.

The Coach had warned that Totti was unlikely to recover in time for the game after suffering a badly bruised ankle during the 2-1 Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon.

“It is very difficult to see Totti on the field against Milan on Sunday and Rodrigo Taddei is also in doubt,” Spalletti had said on Friday.

Totti limped off during the first half of that tie, as Liedson had run out from the defensive wall to go for the ball as the Italian was taking a touched-on free kick.

It was the right ankle – not the one that underwent surgery last year and risked ruling him out of the 2006 World Cup – but it is still a painful injury with remarkably bad timing for the Giallorossi.

Totti has not trained since the Sporting Lisbon game and time is running out, as the derby against Lazio is on the evening of Halloween.

“Without Totti Roma lose a great deal and so does football,” added Milan star Kaka when told of the news.

“It would be better for my team, obviously, but it’s not good for the sport to face Roma without their captain and symbol.”

Mirko Vucinic is expected to take over in the forward role after scoring his first goal of the season against Sporting midweek.

Roma squad: Antunes, Barusso, Bergagnoli, Brighi, Cassetti, Curci, Cicinho, De Rossi, Doni, Esposito, Ferrari, Giuly, Juan, Mancini, Mexes, Panucci, Perrotta, Pit, Pizarro, Tonetto, Vucinic

 

Carlo Ancelotti won’t rule Milan out of the Scudetto race, as beating Roma on Sunday could propel them back into the top spots, but Massimo Oddo is injured.

The Rossoneri have not won a home match in Serie A this season and going into this weekend are 10 points adrift of leaders Inter.

“At this moment in time, we cannot think about the title. I hope we can think about it a little further on, though,” said the Coach. “Right now we’re pretty far away from that objective.”

The midweek 4-1 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk has boosted confidence and Roma will be without captain Francesco Totti.

However, Milan are also forced to deal with an injury crisis, as Oddo has joined Marek Jankulovski on the sidelines.

“Tomorrow’s game will be another test of our current form. We are facing a great side and it will certainly be a balanced and entertaining encounter.

“We do have problems with our full-backs, as neither Jankulovski or Oddo can play, as Massimo has a muscular twinge.

“In today’s session we’ll evaluate Giuseppe Favalli’s condition, as he could recover just in time. In any case, I won’t rule out the possibility of seeing Daniele Bonera at left-back,” continued Ancelotti.

“Roma are a fantastic side who have also played very well even without Totti. I admit that his absence is an advantage for us, but I am convinced that Roma will be able to put us under pressure. They are excellent on the counter-attack and playing ball to feet.”

The Giallorossi are also coming off a midweek Champions League victory, having beaten Sporting Lisbon 2-1 to put themselves in a good position for qualification.

“They are among the strongest sides in Europe, so when most teams face Roma they tend to clam up and leave less space. We will not be doing that, instead trying to stop them with our own style of attacking play.”

Ancelotti is hoping for Milan’s first home victory of the campaign in Serie A and concedes that many of their problems – including last week’s 1-0 defeat to Empoli – are psychological.

“It is only natural that this match represents a test for us. I am absolutely convinced Milan can do well in Serie A too, it is in my view only a mental block.”

Having scored two braces against Lazio and Shakhtar Donetsk, Alberto Gilardino is tipped to start with Clarence Seedorf and Kaka in support.

“Alberto is in fine form and the two goals in the Champions League gave him extra confidence. As for Pippo Inzaghi, I think it is necessary to use him sparingly and not let him play too much. In any case, he knows when he has to be decisive. Ronaldo is not ready yet, we’ll see if he can join the squad on Thursday.”

This week Ancelotti – a former Roma player – had commented he wanted to swap jobs with Luciano Spalletti at the Olimpico.

“It was just a joke. Spalletti is doing well and so am I. Roma represent wonderful memories for me and I certainly keep them alive, but Milan are my present and I hope also my future. Never say never, but I would like to end my career with Milan.”

 

Luciano Spalletti admires the “character” shown by his Roma side in their surprise San Siro triumph as they go into second place.

“It was a balanced game, but my team proved it has taken some very clear steps forward in terms of character,” said the Coach.

Their 1-0 victory away to Milan effectively rules the Rossoneri out of the Scudetto race and allows Roma to close within three points of leaders Inter.

Even without talismanic captain Francesco Totti, they broke through with Mirko Vucinic and could have had a second if Daniele De Rossi had not chipped his penalty over the bar.

“If we look at that incident from 360 degrees, Daniele showed real personality and character in remaining so calm and confident,” insisted Spalletti.

This is the second consecutive spot-kick missed by the Giallorossi, as Amantino Mancini’s effort was saved in the 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon midweek.

 

Luciano Spalletti gives his respect to Lazio after the derby and insists Mirko Vucinic can co-exist with Francesco Totti.

“Tonight the goals made the difference,” he said after the 3-2 victory over Lazio.

“It was a balanced encounter with an opponent that knows how to close up in its own half to then hit you on the break. We were able to score three times and won, but Lazio also played very well and both sides know how to really use the ball.”

The Biancocelesti had taken the lead through Tommaso Rocchi, but Roma fought back for the victory that keeps them in second place.

It was achieved without the talismanic Totti and, with Vucinic netting his third goal in as many games, some are now wondering how Roma will adapt when their captain returns.

“Vucinic and Totti can quite happily co-exist, as they already have done in the past,” assured Spalletti.

“Of course Vucinic may have to be a little more on the wing, but that is not a problem as strikers do not tend to just stand there in front of the goal.

“I watched Lazio’s forwards tonight and they started out very deep, so there’s nothing to say that Totti has to go very far back to play with Vucinic. They can be in attack together, as long as when one goes forward, the other steps back into that space.”