Roma’s Francesco Totti (top) beating the challenge of an opponent during a league match.Francesco Totti believes Roma can sound the clearest warning yet that they are title contenders by beating Juventus in their top-of-the-table clash in Turin today.
The Giallorossi begin the second half of the campaign still unbeaten and five points adrift of the defending champions in the race for the Scudetto.
Roma appear the club most likely to stop Juve from claiming a hat-trick of titles and Totti believes they have a clear advantage in terms of individual talent.
Whether or not they can turn that into a sustained challenge until the end of the season remains to be seen and Totti concedes Juve – who have won their past nine league games – have the knowhow to win trophies that his side lack.
“Juventus are impressive. They have a strong team. They are very solid and always want to win,” Totti told reporters.
“I think we are stronger individually, but they have the upper hand as a team. They have been playing together for three years.
“The difference between us is that their players are used to each other. They have been winning a lot and that has only helped them grow as a team.
“It’s a bit early to talk about the Scudetto as we’re only halfway through the season, but it would be a big warning if we beat Juventus – for ourselves and for our rivals.”
Juve’s edge in experience is also set to be further boosted by the return of Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo.
The 34-year-old has missed the past three matches with a knee injury, but is ready to return after the Christmas break.
The short break has seen Juve duo Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal linked with moves away from the club during the winter transfer window, but defender Leonardo Bonucci says there is a will among the entire squad to lift the Scudetto again.
With their Champions League run having also ended, the domestic title is now the most prized trophy on Juve’s list of targets.
“We have the quality and desire to win a third league title in a row,” Bonucci said.
“This season Juve are different to other years because there is now an awareness that this team is strong. Added to that we have seen players arrive that have allowed us to make a quantum leap.
“But what should not be overlooked is the spirit that characterises this team. The will to win that has been here in the past remains and we want to hit all of our targets.”
Bonucci knows seeing off Roma would be an important step in doing that, adding: “This match will be a huge challenge.
“Games against Roma are always difficult and we are obliged to play to our maximum throughout.”
Meanwhile, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella believes there is still plenty of improvement in his side as they prepare to heap more misery on Tuscan neighbours Livorno this evening.
Giuseppi Rossi’s 14th goal in 17 league games against Sassuolo extended his side’s winning run to three games and lifted them to fourth place in the table, three points behind Napoli.
Montella is convinced his team’s surprise form can push them all the way towards Champions League contention.
Montella said: “I feel we have more room for growth despite the excellent level we have already achieved.
“My goal is to be a match for anyone. I would like to let in fewer goals and win matches more smoothly, but we have got a lot to work with. We are still incomplete and there is room for growth.”
Fixtures
Playing today
Chievo vs Cagliari - 15.00
Fiorentina vs Livorno - 18.00
Juventus vs Roma - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Catania vs Bologna
Genoa vs Sassuolo
Lazio vs Inter - 18.30
Milan vs Atalanta
Napoli vs Sampdoria - 12.30
Parma vs Torino
Udinese vs Verona
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Juventus | 17 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 11 | 46 |
| Roma | 17 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 35 | 7 | 41 |
| Napoli | 17 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 36 | 20 | 36 |
| Fiorentina | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 20 | 33 |
| Inter | 17 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 37 | 21 | 31 |
| Verona | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 26 | 29 |
| Torino | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 24 | 25 |
| Parma | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 25 | 20 |
| Genoa | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 20 | 20 |
| Lazio | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 26 | 20 |
| Udinese | 17 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
| Cagliari | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| Milan | 17 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 25 | 26 | 19 |
| Sampdoria | 17 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 25 | 18 |
| Atalanta | 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 25 | 18 |
| Chievo | 17 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 15 |
| Bologna | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 31 | 15 |
| Sassuolo | 17 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 36 | 14 |
| Livorno | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 29 | 13 |
| Catania | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 32 | 10 |
Next fixtures
Wednesday: Coppa Italia Last 16 – 21.00 Fiorentina vs Chievo.
Thursday: Coppa Italia Last 16 – 18.00 Roma vs Sampdoria. 21.00 Udinese vs Inter.
Saturday: 18.00 Livorno vs Parma; 20.45 Bologna vs Lazio.
Sunday: 12.30 Torino vs Fiorentina. 15.00 Atalanta vs Catania; Cagliari vs Juventus; Verona vs Napoli; Roma vs Genoa. 20.45 Sassuolo vs Milan.
Monday, Jan. 13: 19.00 Sampdoria vs Udinese. 21.00 Inter vs Chievo.