Friday 17 October 2014 10:46, UK
While Roma plot a return to winning ways against Chievo, star midfielder Miralem Pjanic is dreaming about succeeding Francesco Totti as the Eternal City's favourite son.
The Bosnian playmaker is now six games into his fourth Serie A season playing just behind veteran striker Totti at the Stadio Olimpico and feels their burgeoning connection is key to re-establishing the Giallorossi in the title race.
A controversial 3-2 defeat Juventus gave the Turin club sole control of the league table for the time being, but next up for Roma are struggling Chievo, who have won only once so far this term.
Pjanic hopes he can link up sufficiently well with "legend'' Totti to unlock the Flying Donkeys' fragile defence.
When I see that he (Totti) is dropping deep, I push up. I know when and where he wants the ball... we understand each other.
Speaking to L'Ultimo Uomo magazine, he said: "Everyone dreams of becoming Totti's heir, but it's not easy.
"Totti is Totti, he's a phenomenon that goes beyond football. He is written into the history of Italian football and he is a legend. It's also wonderful that he's never changed clubs.
"It's the fourth season that we've been playing together and I know very well how to play alongside him. He knows how to play alongside me, too.
"When I see that he's dropping deep, I push up. I know when and where he wants the ball... we understand each other.''
Greek defender Kostas Manolas begins a two-match suspension following his red card for fighting at Juve, while Federico Balzaretti, Daniele De Rossi, Juan Iturbe and Seydou Keita remain sidelined through injury.
Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman has been missing since March due to knee damage, but will be assessed before Saturday night's game.
Chievo boss Eugenio Corini will run the rule over Mariano Izco, Alessandro Gamberini and Ruben Botta.
The Verona outfit's sole victory this campaign came at Napoli, where young goalkeeper Francesco Bardi kept a clean sheet in a surprise 1-0 triumph.
Elsewhere, four defeats and one draw have left Chievo floundering in 16th place.
One-loan Inter Milan stopper Bardi told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "We're going up against one of the strongest teams in Europe.
"The only way we can escape Rome with any points is by performing as well as we did in Naples.''
