Mancini says Inter Milan’s clash with Roma key to European spot + Serie A fixtures in UAE time

Roberto Mancini has hopes for Uefa Champions League qualification. Marco Luzzani / Getty Images

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini says Saturday’s clash with Serie A rivals Roma at Stadio Olimpico could prove pivotal to his side’s Uefa Champions League hopes.

The Nerazzurri can climb to within two points of third-placed Roma with victory, but Mancini does not expect the final Champions League berth to be decided either way this weekend.

“The players know it’s a big match,” Mancini told the club’s official website. “I don’t know whether it will be decisive because there are still lots of points to play for and a number of the top sides have to meet each other.

“It will, however, definitely be important to win the match because with three points we could cut the gap.”

Inter have not won on the road in the league since mid-January, while Roma, knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid last week, are chasing their ninth straight win in Serie A.

“Roma are a good side and, like Juventus and Napoli, they started the season looking to win the title,” Manicini added. “They have a lot of quality, they’ve been playing together for a long while and strengthened well in January with (Stephan) El Shaarawy and [Diego] Perotti.

“Anything could happen over 90 minutes. Would a draw be a good result? When two sides go out there, they do so to give 100 per cent.

“We’ll see what the result is come full-time but, just like Roma, we’ll play to win.”

Manicini will make a late decision on Argentine striker Mauro Icardi and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia but expects Marcelo Brozovic to be fit.

Roma’s stand-in captain Alessandro Florenzi agrees Saturday’s game is not a Champions League decider and insisted confidence remains high in the camp despite their Champions League exit.

“The game against Inter comes at the perfect time for us,” Florenzi told Sky Sport. “We’ve got massive self-belief at the moment and we want to keep going.

“Inter are a great team and they have a great coach, but no matter how the match goes it won’t decide who qualifies for the Champions League.”

Luciano Spalletti’s side head into the game five points adrift of Napoli and will close the gap on second place with a ninth straight league success.

“The eight wins are the result of the hard work we’re putting in every day, focusing on each game as it comes,” Florenzi added. “We’re just aiming to keep winning as many matches as possible and keep on this path we’re on at the moment.”

FIXTURES (All times UAE)

Saturday

Empoli v Palermo, 9pm

Roma v Inter Milan, 11.45pm

Sunday

Atalanta Bergamo v Bologna, 3.30pm

Frosinone v Fiorentina, 6pm

Sampdoria v Chievo Verona, 6pm

Sassuolo v Udinese, 6pm

Torino v Juventus, 6pm

Verona v Carpi, 6pm

Napoli v Genoa, 9pm

AC Milan v Lazio, 11.45pm

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