Lazio - Inter preview

Lazio v Inter

Lazio have insisted they will not roll over against Inter in a bid to stop Roma winning the title as they hope to catch Jose Mourinho's men a little hungover from their midweek European party.

Inter's Champions League triumph over Barcelona on Wednesday night has been the toast of Italy this week, but they must now get back to business in Serie A as they pursue a fifth consecutive title.

Inter sit two points above Roma with three games to go, and Lazio's Eternal City rivals would dearly love them to beat Mourinho's men and clear a path back to the top of the table.

Conspiracy theories abound, but Lazio coach Edy Reja has dismissed the idea that his side - still not mathematically safe at the other end - will not be trying.

"I'm sure we'll get a result, not least because we need to," Reja said.

"We'll take on Inter as we did Roma two weeks ago (a match they lost 2-1). The derby didn't go well but we hope things will change against Inter. It will be difficult because we're playing against a very good team but we'll try."

Lazio are six points clear of the drop zone with three games left to play, but should have little to fear.

Reja will have to watch the match from the stands due to a ban, leaving Juan Lopez to take charge of his side.

"I have been preparing for the game like I do every week, but it is difficult to replace Edy Reja," Lopez said. "I will try to do as little damage as possible,"

Lopez also warned that Lazio cannot expect Inter to be off their game because of their midweek exertions.

"They are the strongest team in Europe, and we must expect to see the same side that faced Barcelona," he said. "We will need to close down all the space.

"I do not expect them to be down after the semi-final, just as Mourinho has said. They have to play three finals, and the first is on Sunday night against us."

Mourinho's task will be to bring his players back to earth and get them focused on the task in hand.

Inter president Massimo Moratti, seeking to refute claims that the Portuguese boss is certain to leave the club this summer, insisted he has been working to do that since Wednesday night.

"His celebration [at the end of the match] showed that he is a true Interista like us," Moratti said La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Most importantly, he is a true professional. Soon after the game, he was talking to me about the match against Lazio and the fact that we have to win the Scudetto."

Lazio have a long list of absentees, headed by Guglielmo Stendardo, Mourad Meghni, Christian Manfredini, Francesco Maruzalem and Albano Bizarri.

On top of that, Pasquale Foggia, Roberto Baronio, Tommaso Rocchi, Sergio Floccari, Julio Cruz, Maura Zarate and Simone Del Nero are all rated as doubtful, while Cristian Ledesma is suspended.

Inter's problems pale into insignificance behind that list, with Davide Santon, Francesco Toldo and Goran Pandev the only players missing.