Fiorentina aim to push Euro bid against Roma

Fiorentina will be aiming to force their way into the battle for Champions League places by beating Roma in Serie A tomorrow.

While leaders Inter and Roma seem assured of finishing first and second, the race for the remaining two Champions League berths is wide open with just six points separating third-placed Lazio from Milan in sixth.

Fiorentina lie seventh, four points behind Milan. The game between Fiorentina and Roma is bound to revive memories of last season when the two clubs were engaged in a long tussle for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Fiorentina appeared to come out on top, finishing fourth after the last round of matches in May, but their subsequent involvement in the Serie A match-fixing scandal led to them losing their European place and receiving a 15-point penalty for this season.

Many of their fans feared the club risked relegation. Instead, they have climbed steadily up the standings. Without the penalty they would be third, six points behind Roma.

"They are one of the most in-form teams in the league, just like us. I don't see any big differences between us," said Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey, as he looked forward to facing Roma, who travel to the Franchi stadium on the back of four draws and a defeat in their last five away matches.

"Without the penalty points we would be up there too, just like a year ago. We'll play the same way we always do at home and try to impose our game on them. This is a great opportunity to bring ourselves closer to the top of the standings."

Fiorentina's main area of strength is attack. Luca Toni and Adrian Mutu's combined tally of 28 goals this season makes theirs the most prolific strike partnership in Serie A.

Their home record of 10 wins in 13 matches is also enough to ensure Roma will be wary of taking three points for granted.

Even if Roma win, Inter will be confident of maintaining their 16-point lead. The champions take on basement side Ascoli.

Lazio will be aiming to consolidate third spot by beating fifth-placed Empoli tomorrow night.

Palermo are level on points with Lazio but risk slipping out of the top four after taking only eight points in their last nine matches. They visit Sampdoria in tonight's match.

Milan will be without suspended midfielder Andrea Pirlo for the home game against Atalanta.

Serie A

Playing Today
Sampdoria vs Palermo (0-2) 20.30

Tomorrow - 15.00
Ascoli vs Inter (0-2)
Cagliari vs Chievo (0-0)
Catania vs Reggina (1-0)
Fiorentina vs Roma (1-3)
Messina vs Torino (1-1)
Milan vs Atalanta (0-2)
Parma vs Siena (2-2)
Udinese vs Livorno (0-1)
Lazio vs Empoli (1-1) 20.30

Serie B

Played Yesterday
Bologna vs Mantova 1-1

Today - 15.00
AlbinoLeffe vs Verona (1-0)
Brescia vs Rimini (0-2)
Cesena vs Genoa (3-4)
Crotone vs Napoli (0-1)
Lecce vs Modena (0-2)
Piacenza vs Frosinone (1-0)
Spezia vs Arezzo (1-1)
Treviso vs Bari (0-2)
Vicenza vs Pescara (0-0)

Playing on Monday
Juventus vs Triestina (1-0) 21.00