Roma's injury crisis could mean stars of its under-21 team may feature in Saturday night's big match against Juventus at the Olimpico.
Sixth-placed Roma are without nine regulars through injury or bans and three members of the under-21 side are tipped to turn out against second-placed Juve: defender Alessandro Crescenzi, forward Stefano Pettinari and striker Simone Tovalieri who scored the winner in Wednesday's under-21 Italian Cup semi-final against Juve.
As so often this season, Roma skipper Francesco Totti is fighting a knee problem to be fit for the clash against the old enemy.
''Francesco's more out than in at the moment but he's doing all he can to make it. He's essential to us, as always,'' said coach Luciano Spalletti.
Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has a big injury headache of his own with Momo Sissoko, Nicola Legrottaglie, Mauro Camoranesi and Amauri all out.
But Pavel Nedved and Giorgio Chiellini should be back.
Ranieri has reportedly settled a row with striker David Trezeguet who is expected to feature up front with Alessandro Del Piero, while 'Atom Ant' Sebastian Giovinco, a standout in last week's 4-1 win at Bologna, will have another chance to shine.
Napoli's ex-Italy coach Roberto Donadoni will have mixed feelings Sunday night as he welcomes AC Milan, the club where he won a hatful of trophies as a player, to the San Paolo.
Fourth-placed Milan are aiming to tighten their stranglehold on third place - the minimum requirement for Donadoni's old teammate Carlo Ancelotti to keep his job - with another fine display after last week's 5-1 win at Siena.
Earlier in the day champions and leaders Inter Milan will be aiming to stay seven points clear of Juve as they host bottom club Reggina.
Inter coach Jose' Mourinho has an injury crisis of his own and is set to again field midfielder Esteban Cambiasso at the heart of the defence because of the problems with Materazzi, Samuel, Maxwell, Burdisso and Chivu.
