Torino vs Roma preview - Momentum key for De Sanctis

Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis has declared that his team will fight until the end of the season as they look to finish second and qualify directly for the Champions League.

The Giallorossi go into Sunday's match at Torino 14 points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus and just one point clear of fierce rivals Lazio, who are riding a seven-match winning streak.

Following two straight wins for Roma, including a 1-0 triumph over Napoli last time out, De Sanctis said to the Italian press: "It was important to win to give continuity to our victory against Cesena.

"We really needed to improve after a few months where we had struggled to get results."

Roma started the season well and were firmly in the title race but a dismal three months at the start of 2015 saw them lose touch with Juve and also allowed Lazio to challenge them for second place.

A Roma defeat this weekend could see Lazio leapfrog them in the standings.

"We need to win all of our games until the end," De Sanctis said. "We must focus on ourselves and not on others."

Roma, coached by French manager Rudi Garcia, have lost just two games on the road this season and are without defender Vassilis Torosidis, who is suspended.

Toro followed their 2-0 triumph over Parma with a 2-1 victory at Atalanta last time out to climb to seventh in the standings, and they want to keep their momentum going.

They are five points adrift of sixth-placed Napoli, who occupy the last Europa League qualifying spot.

"We've enjoyed an impressive campaign," Toro coach Giampiero Ventura said. "We are giving continuity to our results and we have already done enough to defend our Serie A status.

"But with nine games remaining, we still want to aim high."

Toro will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Marco Benassi from suspension while midfielder Migjen Basha must serve a one-match ban.