Vučinić shows Roma credentials

Mirko Vučinić said he would play in Wednesday's derby visit of S.S. Lazio "with one leg" if necessary after scoring another winning goal for AS Roma on Sunday.

Great form
Having joined the Giallorossi from US Lecce in 2006, the Montenegrin striker is starting to prove his worth at Roma, scoring the winner in a UEFA Champions League game against Sporting Clube de Portugal last week and the only goal in a 1-0 triumph at AC Milan yesterday to leave Roma second in Serie A, three points adrift of leaders FC Internazionale Milano.

'Special feeling'
"I'm extremely happy," said the 24-year-old. "Scoring at San Siro is always a great feeling. We earned a victory which could be a crucial one for our season. Nothing has changed for me, I'm always the same person. I thank [coach Luciano] Spalletti for his faith in me and I hope to repay him by keeping on scoring."

Dangerous striker
Employed largely as a substitute last season, Vučinić scored two goals in 25 league games for Roma, but showed his class when brought on to replace the injured Francesco Totti in the 2-1 defeat of Sporting last Tuesday. Standing in for Totti again on Sunday, he headed in Cicinho's right-wing cross in the second half to give his side all three points against the European champions.

Derby looming
However, he is not hoping that Totti gets any further time off as the Rome derby approaches. "Replacing someone like Totti is never easy because of his qualities as a player and as a team leader," Vučinić conceded. "I hope he will be back for the derby because he is so important for our team, but I would play that game with one leg if I had to."

Coaching quandary
Spalletti, meanwhile, admitted that he may be forced to adjust his tactics in order to give Vučinić the first-team action his form demands. "If he continues like this, I might have to think about moving Totti back into a deeper role and playing Vučinić in attack," he said.