Fulham boss Roy Hodgson does not believe Roma fans present a danger despite their violent reputation. "I think that the fan violence is mostly prevalent when they play their local derby against Lazio or when Juventus or Inter or Milan are the visiting teams," stated Hodgson.

"I can't imagine that at this stage of the competition a team like Fulham or a team like Basel or Sofia going to engender the type of hatred that will get their fans sharpening their knives, because that's what they do over there.

"There is no doubt that they do have a very dangerous bunch of fans. A Roma-Lazio derby is not a place for the faint hearted."