At first sight this is the derby of the round, but honestly no one is interested in this match. Milan will finish the season second; actually they are not yet sure but they have the upper hand over Juventus. That doesn’t even matter, as both places lead to the Champions League. Still, they probably won’t wait for the last game to be decisive one. Milan have more important things to worry about than the games against Roma and Fiorentina. Ancelotti will definitely leave and rossoneri must find the new coach, so they could plan their actions in the transfer window. Roma are near sixth with two points ahead of Palermo. However, if they lose in Milan and Palermo win indifferent Atalanta in Bergamo, things might take a different course. That is why this match is very important.

Roma are going further and further away from the fourth place and Champions League seat. We don’t think it will be necessary to waste words explaining what an effect the absence from Champions League would have on the club’s budget. All people claiming that loss of the huge amount of money CL brings would result in selling out top players are probably right. Romans are decimated, their practically a reserve team was completely destroyed by Juventus. There are some positive things in all of that and that is the debut of Roma’s youngsters such as Filipe. Bologna are arriving to Olimpivo after the painful loss to Cagliari. After that failure, media have already started sacking Sinisa Mihajlovic but he still stands on solid ground. Patron Menarini held a meeting with the manager and his players, told them he was dreaming of survival and that the team must play a lot better. Bologna are very inconsistent lately, winning one out of last five they are walking on the line with only two points clear of dropping line.

The pick of the round and one of the classics will be played at Olimpico. Roma will host Juventus, one of their biggest rivals. The tension is always high before this match, the stadium will be packed, thus Juventus will come across a hostile reception. Juventus are second and they will probably stay there come end to the season but they are not giving up on the title race. Despite the numerous injuries, the team are doing well but the fans are not satisfied. The atmosphere before the match was heated by Baptista’s statement that Italian referees were helping Juventus. The statement caused a lot of controversy as it was Inter who profited the most from the refereeing mistakes.

If you have seen the first leg you would agree that Arsenal missed the chance to finish the job at the Emirates. Roma still have the chance to go through even though they showed absolutely nothing in London. The 1:0 defeat gives them the chance to overturn the deficit in front of the full house at Olimpico, the venue of the Champions League final this season. The Gunners dominated the match and are now favourites to go through. Roma are hoping that their fans will help them eliminate Arsenal but they will have a difficult job. Arsenal are stronger than in the first leg. The key players are still out, but Walcott and Eduardo have recovered and that will give Wenger different options in attack. That should be enough for Gunners to score a goal in this match, which would probably guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals.

Roma are still thinking about two dropped points at Meaza as they had a two-goal lead on two occasions but referee Rizzoli denied them the win. The referee was criticized for gifting Inter penalty and everybody at Roma were furious with Rizzoli after the match. Udinese enter the match on the back of the win over Lecce. They didn’t play a good game and were very lucky to get all three points. D’Agostino opened the scoring from the free-kick, but then Lecce should have been awarded a penalty. The hosts made it 2:0 in the dying stages of the match but their performance was far from impressive.

Derby game in Serie A this weekend when Inter will host Roma at Meazza. This clash comes in a very bad time for both sides as they both have exhausting Champions League eight final clashes behind them. Over the past years, this duel had been crucial when it comes to title race since Roma was the only side to have a way with neroazzuri. Last year, Inter won lo scudetto in the last round and everyone in Roma was mad like hell claiming that refereeing took the title away from them. Last year’s 1-1 draw at Meazza was scrutinized when Romans had a lead and then ref Rosseti was too harsh on Mexes sending him off and then Zanetti leveled the score. That draw turned out to be crucial game in the finish of the last season. Two sides have met so many times so far, having both played final stages of the cup contest, it is not surprising that over the past five years, Inter and Roma, have played the total of 20 games. Somehow, Roma were always more efficient at Meazza than at home.

Roma missed the chance to go fourth, even though the match between their rivals Genoa and Fiorentina finished a draw. However, Roma recorded a convincing defeat in Bergamo. The defeat will certainly worry Spalletti before the very important match with Arsenal in the Champions League. Siena earned a point against Udinese, but they were outplayed by their opponents and it is obvious that they are out of form. However, they are still seven points clear of the relegation zone and they will be under no pressure in this match.

Both teams enter this match in good spirits after the wins in the last round. Atalanta recorded one of the rare away wins, while Roma returned into the race for the fourth place by beating Genoa. This is likely to be very interesting match as both teams will be searching for a win and it is very difficult for any team to win in Bergamo.

This might be one of the most interesting games of the 23rd round and might be even called a derby. This is the clash of the teams that will be fighting for the fourth seat, Champions League slot, so it is clear why the stakes will be so high at Olimpico this Sunday. Last week, Romans have directly felt how football can be tricky and how the tables can turn around very easily. They were two goals ahead in Calabria listening the news from Genoa hosting Palermo. In the last 15 minutes of the game, they were probably thinking how they have already caught on Genoa and that, after a nightmare start, have got back on the right track. However, the cruel reality punched them right in the face. They have first conceded a goal and left empty-handed at Granillo and then Genoa managed o breach Palermo’s defense and seal the deserved win. The situation on the tables are now changed, Grifoni are left fourth-seated with three points adrift of Roma and now travel to Rome with less pressure. Genoa deserved a great deal of praise, they are playing great and Palermo game proved that this is not a one-man team with only Milito playing in it. Il Principe was probably the worst performer with Red-Blues, but Genoa managed to create quite enough chances even without him. Hadn’t it been for the in-form Sicilian goalie, Marco Amelia, the win would’ve been even on bigger margin.

New coach shift at Calabresi has brought a point in Torino, however, the problem remains the same for Reggina. Hammered to the bottom of the standings, they should start winning in series if they want to salvage the season. Team at Nevio Orlandi’s disposal is not capable for such a thing though. Pillon spent four weeks at the helm, took only a point, but he managers are not Reggina’s main problem. It was obvious, even before the season started Amaranti were one of the weakest teams in the league. Chairman Fotti has promised new arrivals in January, but nothing is happening. They may be waiting for the closing hours, but we certainly doubt it. Experienced Scurto may arrive from Tresviso in order to up the defense, but it is not the kind of a player capable to put your team’s performances on a higher plane. Roma are going on with their excellent run beating Palermo on minimal margin after troublesome first half. It was a 9th win in 11 games for Roma who are not closer behind Genoa and the aim – fourth place. If we remember their earlier performances, we can freely say Roma are reborn.