Ranieri handed Roma backing

Ranieri handed Roma backing

Published Sep. 24, 2010 1:27 p.m. ET

Roma sporting director Daniele Prade has handed Claudio Ranieri a vote of confidence ahead of Saturday's home match against Inter Milan.

Reports in Italy have linked former national team coach Marcello Lippi with the Giallorossi hotseat but Prade has quashed the speculation.

"There is no Lippi situation," said Prade. "I confirm our confidence in Ranieri."

Ranieri, meanwhile, was fuming after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Brescia that dropped the capital club into the relegation zone with just two points in four league games.

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"We should have been awarded two penalties, while their penalty was non-existent," said Ranieri. "My team did not deserve to lose. It's a negative time for us but we have to continue to believe in what we are doing."

Roma could not have asked for a more difficult opponent than Serie A leaders and European champions Inter.

The Nerazzurri claimed their third straight win with a 4-0 thumping of Bari on Wednesday.

The result lifted them to the top of the standings, one point clear of Chievo and Brescia.

AC Milan host Genoa hoping to return to winning ways after going three games without a victory.

Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Lazio in midweek and are still without injured Alexandre Pato and Massimo Ambrosini.

Chievo claimed their third win in four matches after a 3-1 come-from-behind victory at Napoli on Wednesday. The men from Verona host Lazio eager to maintain their second position in the standings.

In-form Brescia are level on nine points with Chievo heading into this weekend's trip to Bari.

Brescia have enjoyed a flying start to the season, having claimed three straight wins.

Bologna will travel to Catania eager to pick up where they left off in a 2-1 midweek win against Udinese.

Struggling Fiorentina host Parma on Sunday desperate to claim their first win of the campaign having mustered just two points in four games.

Cagliari's defence will be put to the test at Juventus on Sunday.

The Sardinian outfit have the best back line in the competition with just one goal given away in four games.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri expects a vast improvement from his players in Sunday's game at Cesena.

The Partenopei have the weakest backline in the competition with seven goals given away in four games.

Sampdoria will welcome back Antonio Cassano for Sunday's clash against rock-bottom Udinese.

Cassano sat out Wednesday's goalless draw at Cagliari, a result that dropped Samp to ninth in the standings.

Lecce will pay a visit to La Favorita on Sunday to face Palermo looking for their first win on their travels this season.

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