Ranieri could regret quiet window

Published Feb. 4, 2011 11:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

Claudio Ranieri is hoping Roma's decision not to bring in reinforcements in the winter transfer market does not prove costly in the title race.

Roma, who are also in contention for the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, are in the process of being sold and, unlike, AC Milan, Inter and Juventus, did not strengthen their squad in January.

Ranieri said: "(Roma sporting director Daniele) Prade said that Milan and Inter were in need of reinforcements, but we didn't?"

"I am not in agreement with him. They were already stronger than us and have had more money to invest, hence, they have intervened in the market.

"We, at this time, could not invest a penny. I hope that this market does not penalise us."

Ranieri will not have to wait long to find out as his team travel to the San Siro on Sunday evening to face Inter.

The Romans go into the encounter on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Brescia on Wednesday, which left them fourth in the standings, one point clear of defending champions Inter.

A draw at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium would benefit Serie A leaders AC Milan, who square off against Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris stadium looking to return to winning ways.

Milan were held to a goalless draw by Lazio on Tuesday but the result did not hinder the Rossoneri as second-placed Napoli lost 2-0 at Chievo.

Massimiliano Allegri's Milan are five points clear at the top after 23 games.

Napoli host relegation-threatened Cesena having won six of their last seven games at the San Paolo stadium.

Lazio, who are two points adrift of Napoli, will be tested when they welcome in-form Chievo to the Stadio Olimpico.

The men from Verona have won their last two league games to climb to 10th in the standings.

Strugglers Juventus travel to Sardinia to face Cagliari on Saturday on the back of a 2-1 loss to Palermo in the last round.

Luigi Del Neri's Juve have won just one of their last seven games and are eighth in the standings with 35 points.

Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Cagliari marked Sampdoria's third consecutive defeat. Samp travel to Friuli to face a Udinese side that has not lost at home since September 19.

Sixth-place Palermo take on Lecce at the Via Del Mare stadium looking for their first win on the road since November 21.

Fiorentina and Catania are the only two sides that have failed to register a win away from home this season.

The Florence outfit travels to Parma hoping to change that after an encouraging 1-0 triumph over Genoa that ended a three-match winless run.

Giuseppe Iachini's Brescia are in the relegation zone and play at home against rock-bottom Bari on Sunday. Brescia are 19th, four points behind Catania, who hold the last position of safety.

A defeat at Bologna could see Catania drop into the bottom three. The Sicilian outfit are two points clear of 18th-placed Cesena.

Catania have mustered just four points away from home this season.