Lack of Totti sure to spice up Rome derby
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Your support makes all the difference.After a week of mourning, Roma tomorrow face up to life without Francesco Totti, at least for three months, when they meet their city rivals Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Victory would set a new Serie A record of 11 consecutive victories for Roma but Totti's fractured ankle threatens to destabilise their season.
Such is the impact of the injury, Totti has been visited at his bedside by the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, as well as the national coach, Marcello Lippi.
Luciano Spalletti, Roma's coach, said: "To get through a moment like this, everyone is going to have to give something extra."
Vincenzo Montella replaces Totti. With Roma fourth, Champions' League qualification is at stake as well as Roman pride.
The leaders Juventus are at home to Lecce tomorrow. Their distant pursuers, Milan and Internazionale, visit Palermo and host Udinese respectively.
While Juventus, 10 points clear of Milan, already have a hand on the scudetto, Barcelona's grip on La Liga could be loosened further this weekend. They travel to Real Zaragoza tonight while Valencia, six points adrift, are at home to Getafe.
Valencia are unbeaten in 14 games and expect to be strengthened soon by the return of injured trio Roberto Ayala, Edu and Vicente. Defender David Navarro said: "Our objective is a top-four finish but we are not ruling out a shot at the title."
Barcelona, buoyed but drained after their victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, travel warily to Real Zaragoza, who scored four against them in the King's Cup last month. Real Madrid are at struggling Real Mallorca.
The Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is out while Guti and Ronaldo are doubts. Although 18th in the table, Mallorca could prove tricky opposition. On his first game back at the club last weekend, new coach Gregorio Manzano led the islanders to their first win in 10 attempts at Malaga.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich expect to resume their march to the title against Eintracht Frankfurt today after a fortunate point at Hanover 96 last week. They remain eight points clear of SV Hamburg, who are at home to VfB Stuttgart tomorrow. Hamburg hope to give Rafael van der Vaart, their playmaker, his first start of 2006.
French league leaders Lyon seek to maintain their seven-point lead at home to Stade Rennes. The Lyon sweeper Cris plays despite breaking his nose in Eindhoven in midweek. Second-placed Bordeaux are at home to bottom club Metz.
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