Bologna defender Gaby Mudingayi is looking forward to his return visit to the Stadio Olimpico in Saturday's game at Lazio.

"The game against Lazio has a special significance for me," said Mudingayi. "I spent three wonderful years in Rome and it´s never easy to return as an opponent to a stadium and face a team with which you've done good things."

Mudingayi knows he will have to put sentiment aside as Bologna attempt to return to the winning ways having collected just one point in the last four encounters.

"Now I am a Bologna player," he said."I want to help this team avoid relegation and hence, I will go to Rome with the aim of helping this team clinch a victory.

"This will be my only thought heading into the game.

"I want to return to Bologna with three points that will be important for our position."

Saturday´s 2-1 loss against Inter Milan left the Rossoblu just one point clear of danger.

Rossoblu coach Sinisa Mihajlovic expects a battle against his former team, knowing that a defeat could see his side drop to the relegation zone.

"It´s going to be a difficult game against Lazio," he said. "We need to show more focus because right now what we're doing in training we're not able to deliver when it matters."

Lazio go into the encounter with last weekend's 2-0 triumph at Lecce having eased the pressure on Biancoceleste coach Delio Rossi.

The outcome marked Lazio´s first win since January 11 and lifted the team to 11th position in the standings.

The Roman outfit are now desperate to end the rot at the Stadio Olimpico when they host Bologna.

Lazio have not won in the Italian capital since December 20 when they edged Palermo 1-0 and this is a worrying sign for the Rossi.

"Considering the quality my players have, they have yet to show their true potential," he said.

"The win at Lecce will hopefully become a turning point for my team."

The hosts will have to keep a close eye on Bologna's Rome-born striker Marco Di Vaio.

Di Vaio, who started his playing career at Lazio, is Serie A´s top scorer this season with 16 goals.

"I have always been a Lazio fan," admitted Di Vaio. "Lazio is like my home, that's where I grew up and where I matured as a player.

"But on Saturday I intend to help my team win.

"I will have lots of friends and family members at the Stadio Olimpico and I want to play a great game."

The visitors will be without defender Vaggelis Moras, who serves a one-match ban.

Rossi will play with Goran Pandev in support of team's top scorer, Mauro Zarate, up front.