ROME (AFP) - Struggling Inter Milan host Juventus in the 'Derby of Italy' on Saturday in a match that could see some life being breathed back into the Serie A title race.

Ten-man Inter stretched their lead over second-placed Roma to seven points Wednesday when they battled to a gritty 1-1 draw at Genoa, while the Romans lost 3-2 to Lazio in the Rome derby.

However the fact remains Inter have won only twice in their last eight matches, and with injury and disciplinary problems they look far from being the indestructable team of just over a month ago.

Inter have been shown 10 red cards already this season while three of their first choice back four are out injured.

Owner Massimo Moratti refused to be drawn on his team's disciplinary record, claiming the sending off of Vitor Pele on Wednesday was unfair, but he did acknowledge that their lead over Roma is not as significant as it looks.

And he said little should be read into Roma's derby defeat.

"Football is cruel. Although you don't say that when you're winning," he said.

"Nothing much has changed. We need to be careful until the end of the season."

Third-placed Juventus, who are in the driving seat to secure Champions League football next season, are hoping to use this match to demonstrate they are closing in on a return to the top table following their match-fixing troubles.

Juve have over-achieved this season given that they are newly promoted and their side was ripped apart when they were relegated for match-fixing two seasons ago.

But French striker David Trezeguet believes a win over Inter would prove they are close to becoming serious Serie A challengers again.

"Motivation will be very important in this match, going to the San Siro in front of a sell-out crowd, playing the champions," he said.

"It will also be an extra motivation to see if we can beat the best team in Serie A in a one-off match.

"We're not looking for a draw. We're going to Milan without any fear of losing and looking to put them under pressure. Winning at their ground would have a special taste."

Roma will hope to bounce back from their Lazio defeat as they host lowly Empoli, who held Juve to a draw in midweek.

Meanwhile AC Milan's increasingly desperate Champions League chase takes them to Torino on Saturday.

Milan suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Sampdoria on Wednesday and remain four points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina, who host Lazio at the weekend, in the chase for Champions League qualification.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team cannot afford to play as badly or listlessly again and he refused to blame the loss of Kaka after less than 10 minutes or even tiredness for that performance.

"We can't go into our next match with the same attitude," he said angrily.

"We would be mistaken to think the (result of the) match was a result of all our problems, there are other factors that come into play too, like application and sacrifice.

"That was the key to the defeat and I don't think the loss of Kaka affected us.

"Milan has qualities, more so than in 2002 when we finished fourth. We want to finish fourth but we must fight for it."

Fixtures

Saturday

Atalanta v Catania, Fiorentina v Lazio, Inter Milan v Juventus, Palermo v Genoa, Reggina v Napoli, Roma v Empoli, Sampdoria v Cagliari, Siena v Parma, Torino v AC Milan, Udinese v Livorno