Russia manager Fabio Capello has chipped in with his verdict on Juventus' 3-2 win over Roma a fortnight ago, saying that the Bianconeri were not lucky -- they just wanted the win more.
Talk of the Oct. 5 top-of-the-table clash has dominated the football headlines in Italy for nearly two weeks, although most of the discussion has centred on the controversies thrown up by the game itself, and the post-match reaction.
Capello coached Roma for five years and Juventus for two and he is therefore qualified to talk on both clubs, as he did at an awards ceremony on Thursday.
"Juventus-Roma was not pretty for many reasons, in particular the controversies after and particularly during it," Capello said.
"That hurt me because it was otherwise an example of how Italian football is returning to a high level.
"The difference was in the winning habits. There are clubs where they breathe a winning mentality and Juventus are one of these."
Capello was the last man to guide the Giallorossi to the scudetto in 2001. Roma finished the subsequent season second to Juve by just a single point and Roma captain Francesco Totti said his side are destined to do the same again this year, suggesting Juve will win because they are on the receiving end of refereeing favours.
Capello has not yet ruled Napoli out of the running for the Serie A title, although he cannot see any other club getting close to those -- the new top three clubs in an Italian league which is struggling to keep up with the best in Europe.
"When I was coaching AC Milan, there were seven sides in the hunt for the scudetto, but now only Roma, Juve and Napoli remain," said the 68-year-old, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. "All the other clubs are just there to make up the numbers.
"Furthermore, the level of the quality of players in the Italian league has dropped. If you train with a great player, you learn from him and improve yourself.
"Nowadays, since there aren't any of these big players in the clubs anymore, you end up copying a mediocre level.
"Abroad, clubs have more money and can buy better players who have winning mentalities.
"Fortunately, during this crisis of resources, we've done well in finding some good young foreigners. Only one big name has arrived, and that is [Carlos] Tevez. No others came.
"Then in Italy, unlike in England, going to the stadium is like entering a warzone. That's why nobody takes their children, because it's the Ultras who rule."