Garcia focused on Roma win despite 20,000 fans in boycott threat

Amid an ongoing strike by disgruntled fans upset at recently-introduced security measures, up to 20,000 fans are set to boycott the first capital derby of the season.

Although Garcia said "it'll be sad tomorrow if there's not a full stadium and a derby atmosphere", the Frenchman added that his focus is now on his side claiming all three points against a Lazio side that has stuttered of late.

"I've already appealed to the fans and I can't do any more. I'm focused on the match now," Garcia told reporters on Saturday.

"It's a special, unique match. I want us to be at 100% -- no, at 200%, across the board, not just in terms of our motivation.

"If we do our job and play like the real Roma, we'll have every chance of getting what we want -- three points and a derby win."

Although Italy's fiercest city derby has been beset, sometimes fatally, by violence in the past, and a huge police operation will be launched amid fears of further trouble, the biggest problem facing the capital's top-flight sides recently has been one of empty seats.

Striking Roma 'ultras' have left the South End of the stadium half-full during many league games in protest at the club tightening security measures by splitting the 'Curva Sud' -- their traditional 'home' -- in two.

The 'Curva Nord' -- the traditional home of Lazio's ultras -- has been given the same treatment although Lazio fans have also been conspicuous by their absence as they continue to protest against controversial club president Claudio Lotito, who has fallen foul of both the football and civil authorities over the years.

Given Lazio's recent struggles in Serie A, and the loss of central defender Stefan De Vrij for the season (knee), Roma are the odds-on favourites.

A Roma win will see them go top of the league if both leaders Fiorentina and second-placed Inter Milan slip up on their travels.

Lazio were stunned 3-1 by a resurgent AC Milan at the Olimpico last week, prompting Lotito to storm into the club's training complex and tell Stefano Pioli's squad: "Your performance was embarrassing.

"You have to completely change your attitude and show some balls."

Pioli said: "We've come to a point where we are not happy at all with our league position.

"I have faith in my side but if we're to get better these are the kind of games where we have to show what we're made of.

"Roma are a strong side, we all know that and they know it as well. They've invested heavily this season in a bid to win something, but we want to take all three points."

For the past 10 years attendances at the 'Derby della Capitale', which reached a peak of 61,998 in November 2008, have regularly hit the 50,000 mark.

But a year after 51,252 fans watched Lazio hold Roma to a 2-2 draw, approximately 35,000 fans are expected to attend Sunday's game as fans from both clubs continue their protest.

Pioli said the derby, first played in 1929 at the 'Campo Rondinella' when Roma won 1-0, deserved more.

"I remember last season the derby being played in a virtually full stadium, emotions were high our fans were superb," said Pioli.

"It's a shame because the derby deserves better."