Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has played down the prospect of a Scudetto challenge after victory over Catania.

A lone Mirko Vucinic strike proved enough as Roma are within five points of Inter Milan.

Ranieri insists "the Scudetto race is not re-opened" despite Roma closing the gap on Inter.

"No, in all honesty I doubt it. The Scudetto race is not re-opened," he said.

"We are working very hard and must be happy with that, but we still cannot say that the title race is back on.

"We're on the big bend, but after that is the final strait and that is where the season is decided. It's true five points aren't many, but I look at all the teams fighting with us for a top four finish."