Crunch time for Roma at the San Siro

Champions Inter enter tonight's home clash with nearest pursuers Roma enjoying a cushion nine-point lead at the top of the standings. Anything less than a win for the visitors will almost probably signal the end of the 2007/08 title race.

This match is crucial for Roma who have beaten Inter twice in the last two years in league matches in Milan.

A defeat for the home team tonight would only dent Inter's title hopes. However, failure to win and bridge the gap with the league leaders would automatically put an end to Roma's title aspirations especially if Inter are knocked out of the Champions League. They would only have the Serie A to focus on.

The timing of tonight's match comes at a delicate stage for both teams. Next week, Roma travel to La Liga giants Real Madrid hoping that their slender 2-1 lead will be enough to see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The following week, Inter have an uphill task to oust Champions Cup specialists Liverpool after going down 0-2 at Anfield. No doubt, this will be the highlight of Inter's season because an eventual premature elimination from Europe's premier club competition would do nothing but underline Inter's weaknesses on the continent.

It is very difficult to explain why Inter are so convincing in the Serie A and yet so fragile in Europe. In these last two years, they were exactly the opposite of city neighbours Milan who look so inconsistent and uninspiring at home but then transform into a superb team in the Champions League.

A quick comparison with last year shows that Inter have collected three points less so far this term whereas Roma have a point less with respect to 12 months ago. This confirms the consistency of these two teams who have been occupying the top two spots in the Serie A table for the last two years now.

Many attributed the two teams' dominance in the Serie A last year to the fact that Juventus were in Serie B and Milan had started the campaign with a penalty of eight points.

But this time around, Juve are in contention and all contenders started the 2007/08 season level on points with no other soccer scandals to rock the game. But, it seems none of the challengers have so far managed to rival Inter and Roma in terms of quality and consistency.

It was not all rosy for the champions this season. They were hit with a string of injuries to key players like Patrick Vieira, Olivier Dacourt, Dejan Stankovic, Walter Samuel, and lately, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba.

Roma also sustained a number of injuries, albeit their list was not as long as that of Inter.

However, one of the key factors that has kept Inter going was their resourceful squad and the quality within their ranks.

Even Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, unlike past campaigns, can count on reserves of quality this season and this has enabled him to adopt an adequate rotation policy.

Perhaps, Inter have an edge over Roma in that they possess more experienced players with a proven pedigree. Also, the fact that Inter were so successful at home these past three years has automatically made of them a winning side with a winning mentality.

Surely, coach Roberto Mancini is doing an awesome job in keeping his players motivated and hungry for more success.

Capital collapse

When Inter and Roma crossed swords in the capital in September, Inter cruised to a resounding 4-1 victory to underline their supremacy in the Serie A and draw revenge for their setbacks in last year's Coppa Italia final and the Italian Supercup in summer.

This time promises to be a different encounter but all the same an important and decisive one to determine the 2007/08 scudetto winners.

Who will have the upperhand tonight? Will the two teams stick to cautious play or go all out for a win irrespective of their impending Champions League commitments?

And, who will be the winning cards for the two coaches? Which tactical ploy will bear fruit for the two teams?

These are all but a few of the questions to which we will have a definite answer at the end of tonight's match between the defending champions and the strongest challengers for their throne.