Capello dismisses Roma rivalry

Juventus coach Fabio Capello is playing down any personal rivalries with his old players before Thursday's Serie A match at home to former club AS Roma.

Capello left Roma at the end of last season after five years in charge to take over at the Delle Alpi, leading Juventus to the top of the league.

"I haven't got any problems with anyone," Capello said.

"If you spend years together there are always going to be discussions but you have to look at the rapport that existed above all that, above the moments of anger."

The coach transformed Roma during his tenure, winning the title for only the third time in the club's history in 2001 with a team inspired by Francesco Totti.

Totti will be the main threat to Capello's Juve on Thursday along with strikers Vincenzo Montella and Antonio Cassano -- players Capello frequently clashed with during his time in the capital.

Indeed since moving to Turin, Capello has also said that his relationship with Roma captain Totti was a troubled one at times.

Capello even had kind words for Roma president Franco Sensi, who the coach was reported to have a strained relationship with and who has often pointed an accusing finger at Juventus.

"I want to thank him again, and I will always do so, for giving me the chance to have five splendid, intense years in which I was able to win something in an atmosphere where it is difficult to do so," the Juve coach said.

In recent years clashes between the two clubs have been preceded by accusations and rancour, the majority of which has emanated from club officials rather than players.

Sensi has frequently engaged in bitter public rows with Juventus managing director Luciano Moggi.

Even Moggi decided this week was the time to make peace with septuagenarian Sensi and call an end to the verbal jousting.

"That is over because I am tired of entertaining people by involving an elderly man who deserves the maximum amount of respect," said Moggi.

While Capello has produced instant results at Juve, with six wins and a draw from the opening seven games, Roma have had a terrible start to the campaign.

After Capello's replacement Cesare Prandelli stood down on the eve of the new season due to family reasons, German coach Rudi Voeller struggled to impose his authority on the team and poor results led him to resign.

Former Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri has restored some order to the club but they are already 10 points behind Juventus and Sunday's home draw with Palermo showed they have yet to refind their form.

Capello's side will feature two players he brought with him from Rome in French full back Jonathan Zebina and Brazilian playmaker Emerson.