Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has called for caution ahead of Wednesday's clash with AS Roma at the San Siro Stadium, which could see his side crowned champions.
Inter lead Serie A with 81 points, 16 more than second placed Roma, so a win would clinch the title with six matches to spare.
But Mancini stressed Tuesday that Inter's fans may have to wait a little longer before they can start celebrating.
"It will be a hard game because the real Roma is the one that beat Sampdoria 4-0 on Sunday, not the team that lost 7-1 to Manchester United last week," the former Lazio and Sampdoria striker said.
"I don't think Roma are coming to Milan to celebrate an Inter victory".
Indeed, Roma captain Francesco Totti - who heads the top-scorer standings with 20 goals - warned Inter not to expect an easy ride in an article published Tuesday in Rome-based sports daily Corriere dello Sport.
Inter are seeking to win the championship 'on the field of play' for the first time since 1989.
The Milanese giants are the reigning champs, but this is courtesy of the Calciopoli referee-rigging scandal.
Juventus were stripped of last season's title and relegated and AC Milan were deducted points for their respective part in the scandal. This meant Inter were bumped up from third to first place.
Mancini admitted Tuesday that taking the title 'on the field' will have a special flavour.
"Last year's title was important because of everything that happened in previous years which no one had discovered," the 42-year-old said.
"It was the scudetto of justice. This one is about the everyday emotions, training sessions and hard matches you face until you reach the finishing post."
If the two sides draw on Wednesday, Inter will need two points from their last six games to clinch the title.
A Roma win would leave the Milanese giants needing to pick up six points in the final straight.
Inter won the early season clash between the sides in the Italian capital 0-1.
Another match that is expected to draw attention on Wednesday sees Empoli hosting Atalanta.
Former Italy forward Christian Vieri may return to Serie A action after a 16-month absence if Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono fields him against Empoli Wednesday.
His last appearance in the top flight was in December 2005 when he played in AC Milan's 4-0 victory over Messina, a month before joining Monaco.
Vieri signed for Atalanta, who he previously played for in the 1995-96 campaign, at the start of the season.
He has not started for them yet because of injury problems, which he is now over.
