Roma equalled the Serie A record of 10 consecutive wins with a 1-0 defeat of Empoli yesterday but paid a heavy price when their captain Francesco Totti broke his ankle.
Totti was carried off in the 12th minute after going down under a heavy challenge by the Empoli defender Richard Vanigli. The Italy international has fractured his ankle and is expected to be out of action for about two months.
The win gave Roma 51 points from 26 matches and moved them up to fourth -Italy's final Champions League place - one point ahead of Fiorentina, who slipped back after losing 2-1 at home to Lazio. Juventus lead the division on 67 points after a 2-2 draw with Messina on Saturday. The Turin side hold a 10-point advantage over Milan, who beat Cagliari 1-0 thanks to a first-half penalty from Alberto Gilardino, while Internazionale slipped down to third after being held to a goalless draw by Livorno.
The Juventus coach Fabio Capello says Bayern Munich are favourites to win the Champions League because of the winter break in the Bundesliga. "Bayern Munich are, in my mind, the favourites," said Capello. "It's quite possible that we'll meet Bayern in the final. I'd even say that Bayern are our greatest challenge."
Capello's team play at Werder Bremen on Wednesday in the knockout round. Bayern Munich host Milan tomorrow.
"At the moment, German teams have an advantage," he said, noting the Bundesliga had a month-long winter break until late January. "We've just had an intensive phase with a lot of matches behind us. That's the same for Barcelona or Chelsea. All these teams are in a bit of a slump right now. But the German teams were able to rest during their Christmas break. That's an advantage for them."
Michael Ballack scored in the 89th minute for Bayern Munich to draw 1-1 with Hannover 96 on Saturday.