After Inter's stumble against Udinese this week, Mancini declared: "Inter have slowed down and now Roma are improving. In recent games they have failed to win, but we still must respect them. They remain the strongest team in the championship.

"What's most important is that Roma worry about themselves. We must collect as many points as we can then at the end of the season we'll see what happens.

"It's obvious that Inter and Roma are the two strongest teams in Italy.

"I'd prefer to win the Scudetto rather than the Champions League. Winning the Scudetto would be wonderful for the Italian fans of Roma."