Birsa: Roma have shown they are Juve's only real challengers

Birsa and his teammates visit the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, in what is both sides’ last game before the winter break.

The Slovenia international is acutely aware the Giallorossi will be looking to end the year with a win – and bounce back after Saturday’s narrow defeat to Juventus.

“We need to be alert and fully focused on Thursday,” Birsa said. “I watched the match from Saturday night – I think it was a game between two fantastic teams. Juve got the win but it was a tough match and Roma had their chances too.

“All in all, I think that the quality of Juve’s squad is just shading it because they have players that can change the course of a match at any time, even when coming off the bench. That said, the game did confirm that Roma really are the only challengers to Juventus.”

The game could also see Birsa come up against Francesco Totti, a player he admits he is almost endless admiration for.

“I’d need an hour to talk about a great player like Totti,” Birsa said. “He’s a magnificent footballer of limitless talent. His achievements – and his quality – will go down not only in the history of Roma and Italian football, but of the game in general, because he’s one of the greatest players in history.

“He is the quintessential No.10 – the kind of player you never want to take your eyes off, because what he does with the ball is unique.”