Totti trumpets Roma's title credentials ahead of derby
( 2002-03-06 15:16 ) (7 )

Roma captain Francesco Totti has turned up the heat ahead of this weekend's derby against Lazio by claiming his team are the best in Serie A.

Roma's title credentials suffered on Sunday when they drew 1-1 with lowly Lecce but Totti's optimism was far from dented.

"For us nothing changes. We are still the team to beat and I'm convinced we still have something more than Inter and Juventus," he told Corriere Dello Sport on Tuesday.

Roma are third, two points behind leaders Milan and a point adrift of second-placed Juve, but Totti is convinced they will overhaul both clubs, who face each other on Saturday.

The determination of seventh-placed Lazio to beat Roma on Sunday goes further than local pride and closing a 14-point gap on their city rivals.

On Monday, coach Alberto Zaccheroni revealed they would lose captain Alessandro Nesta if they failed to secure a Champions League place.

But Totti said the champions are "ready for a great derby".

He added: "I respect Lazio but the table clearly shows the difference between the two teams.

"If the Lazio President says that they are ready for a big derby, that's fine because so are we. We must play well and have the same spirit we had last year.