Totti ready for Inter showdown

There is more to AS Roma and FC Internazionale Milano than Francesco Totti and Zlatan Ibrahimović, but the duel between the forwards could be a key feature as the two top sides in Serie A go head-to-head at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

'We can beat them'
Last season's ESM Golden Shoe winner Totti, who has scored four goals in as many Serie A appearances this term, will return to action after missing his side's 2-2 draw at ACF Fiorentina in midweek because of a minor injury. "Inter and Roma are the favourites to win the Scudetto," said the Roma captain, who turned 31 this week. "It's going to be a difficult game but we have already proved we can beat them."

Inter resurgent
Roma beat Inter 1-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in August to take the Italian Super Cup after beating the Milan club 7-4 on aggregate in the 2006/07 Coppa Italia final. Having finished 22 points behind Inter in Serie A last season, the Giallorossi seem to have closed the gap between themselves and the Nerazzurri having made an impressive start to the new campaign. However, Roberto Mancini's side showed they are back on the right track after a difficult start with a convincing 3-0 midweek win against UC Sampdoria and are level with Roma on eleven points after five games.

Team game
Ibrahimović led his team to the success against the Blucerchiati scoring twice to join Juventus' David Trezeguet with six goals at the top of the Serie A scoring chart. "It's not true that I'm essential to Inter," he said. "We are all strong in this squad and when everyone plays at their best, it's easier for me to do well. I feel in good form. The victory against Sampdoria was a big boost in confidence and we must use that against Roma. We are going to Rome to get a win."