SOCCER: 'FULL HOUSE FOR ROMA'

SOCCER: 'FULL HOUSE FOR ROMA'

(ANSA) - Rome, November 5 - Inter Milan coach Jose' Mourinho wants a full house for Sunday night's Serie A clash against Serie A strugglers Roma.

''The team deserve it after what they did against Dynamo Kiev,'' he said after a 2-1 comeback win that vaulted the Nerazzurri to the top of their Champions League qualifying group.

''This win could mark a change in the way some parts of the media see us,'' added the Portuguese coach.

Inter will be aiming to protect a seven-point lead over Juventus and Sampdoria at the San Siro.

On paper, the three-time-straight champions are heavy favourites against the Romans, who with skipper Francesco Totti suffering injury woes have fallen far from their spumante soccer of two seasons ago, when many thought they should have pipped Inter to the scudetto.

With just one win in five games, Claudio Ranieri's men are in 14th spot and have half Inter's points, 14 to 28, after 11 matches.

Amid recurring rumours that President Rosella Sensi may be forced to sell and is certainly short of any cash for January replacements, the mood in the Roma camp is grim.

''But we're at out best with our backs to the wall,'' said Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi, seen as Totti's replacement as club icon when the veteran striker retires.

''Roma will get better, we'll drown out the boos,'' De Rossi said.

Should the Romans take advantage of any weariness from Inter's heroics in Ukraine, Juventus are hoping to win at struggling Atalanta and stop talk of a one-horse race for the title.

But Ciro Ferrara's side has been heavily hit by injuries and veteran David Trezeguet is the only fit striker.

However, Samp have an apparently harder task as they travel to resurgent Cagliari seeking to lift their spirits after only managing a goalless home draw with lowly Bari last time out.

AC Milan, in fourth place two points behind Samp, appear to have found long-sought confidence and continuity in an aggressive formation spearheaded by young Brazilian Pato after they took four points from Real Madrid in their two Champions League encounters.

Leonardo's newly buoyant charges go to the Olimpico to face the other Roman club, Lazio, which is just below Roma but three points worse off.

Coach Davide Ballardini's job could be on the line if the Biancocelesti fail to impress again after last Sunday's 1-1 draw at bottom club Siena.