Panucci expecting a busy derby

      ROME (AFP) - Roma and Italy defender Christian Panucci has told Sky Italia that he expects to be kept busy during the upcoming Rome derby against Lazio on Sunday.

      Even though Luciano Spalletti's team are the nominal home side at the Stadio Olimpico that they share with their cross-town rivals, they go into the match as underdogs.

      Roma are one point and one place away from the relegation zone, while Lazio have started the season strongly, sitting in fourth place, two points behind leaders Inter Milan.

      With Delio Rossi's team in high confidence, Panucci is awaiting the chance to stop their three-man attack of captain Tomasso Rocchi, Goran Pandev and new Argentine sensation Mauro Zarate.

      "I can only compliment Lazio because they are playing good football," he said. "However, we only feel inferior by way of the standings. I believe they will try to use the trident and I think they will risk it."

      The 35-year-old veteran defender does think Roma have turned a corner and can start looking up the table with the confidence to pull away from the relegation zone.

      Panucci scored the opening goal in the 3-1 Champions League victory, which has filled the capital city team with renewed confidence.

      "There were only a few of us, we started badly in the championship though effort wasn't lacking. Now, though, a lot of players have recovered (from injuries), and we are returning to a level where we can compete," he added.

      The 1998 Champions League winner has also come out in support of coach Spalletti, who has come under fire for Roma's poor performances and his decision to meet with Chelsea during the close season.

      "We believe in Spalletti, he decides everything here. One and a half months difficulty can't change the rapport that we have with him," he said.