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Lilian Thuram has dismissed the ill-feeling dominating the build-up to Juventus’ visit to Roma on Saturday.
With the temperature already rising fully four days ahead of the visit of Fabio Capello’s men to the Eternal City, Thuram claims to be unaffected by the back-biting emanating from the Roma camp.
"We are a big side," said Thuram. "We manage to keep our concentration on the pitch, as big sides should do."
Thuram’s subtle dig at Roma, whose occasional indiscipline tends to manifest itself during high-pressure matches - such as the away game at Inter last month which saw Francesco Totti sent off for ungentlemanly conduct - may be designed to infuriate the Giallorossi still further.
"We don’t need controversy," added the France defender. "Roma can do what they want but we are concentrating on the Scudetto."
Totti openly criticised Capello and former Roma teammate Emerson in an interview recently, making no secret of his disdain for either, and his comments are sure to ramp up an already-excitable home crowd when the two return to the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.
"The match will be difficult because they have players like Totti and Antonio Cassano," said the Juve full-back. "Let’s just hope they respect the rules of the game and that they don’t adopt a bad attitude which can affect the crowd."
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