Coach Luciano Spalletti said AS Roma's title ambitions were still alive despite falling seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter.

"We will continue to fight because we have already shown we can do impossible things," said Spalletti, referring to the recent Champions League first knockout round victory over nine-times European Cup winners Real Madrid.

"I think the championship is still open and we will try to reduce the gap," he told reporters after losing Wednesday's derby 3-2 to Lazio. Second-placed Roma hope Inter drop points at home to Juventus on Saturday (1930 GMT), the same day Spalletti's side entertain Empoli.

Inter will be without suspended Portuguese midfielder Pele, whose 40th-minute sending-off in the 1-1 draw at Genoa on Wednesday exposed the champions to the second-half siege that led to Marco Borriello's late equaliser.

Italy defender Marco Materazzi returns from suspension and Inter may also have Patrick Vieira back after the France midfielder missed the Genoa match with a muscle problem.

Juve, 13 points off the pace in third spot, produced a toothless performance to draw 0-0 at second from bottom Empoli. David Trezeguet, who has scored 16 league goals this season, is likely to return to the team after coming on as a substitute on Wednesday.

AC Milan are expected to be without Kaka at out-of-form Torino on Saturday (1400) after the World Player of the Year pulled up with a thigh problem nine minutes into Wednesday's 2-1 home defeat by Sampdoria. Milan, who have only won two of their last eight Serie A games, will aim to put their bid for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification back on track.

The European champions lie fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina, who lost 2-0 at Napoli in midweek. Fiorentina host mid-table Lazio who are boosted by the victory over city rivals Roma and have their sights set on sixth position and a UEFA Cup slot.