Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has called on his team to tighten up at the back heading into Sunday's game at Catania.

The Giallorossi have the worst defensive record in the Italian top flight having conceded 11 goals in five games this term, and Ranieri wants to see a meaner back-line tomorrow.

"I hope there is a limit to our generosity," said Ranieri, who replaced the departed Luciano Spalletti earlier this month.

"At times my players don't use their heads and clearly, we have to work hard and try to solve this problem.

"Hopefully, we will do this sooner rather than later."

Roma's defensive woes were evident in their midweek 3-3 tie at Palermo.

The Giallorossi were able to rescue a point late in the game thanks to a Francesco Totti penalty.

The result marked Roma's first draw after two straight wins over Siena and Fiorentina under new boos Ranieri.

The result left the Eternal City outfit in seventh position in the standings, six points behind Serie A leaders Juventus and Inter Milan.

For Roma midfielder David Pizarro, it is only a matter of time before his team start showing their true colours.

"We have understood what the coach wants and we are managing to put his tactics into action," he said. "We have room for improvement but we are on the right path."

One positive aspect for Ranieri is that his team have displayed a lot of determination and character in the last week.

"The most important thing is what the team has done in the last six days," he said.

"Against Palermo, I saw my players fighting until the end to win and this is a good sign."

The Giallorossi will be expected to claim all three points when they meet winless Catania at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

"It will be tough, but if we fight for every ball and help one another out, we can take a win," said Pizarro.

Catania coach Gianluca Atzori has urged his players to keep up the good work after holding Atalanta to a goalless draw in Bergamo on Wednesday.

The Sicilian outfit are still searching for their first win of the campaign but Atzori is confident their efforts will soon be rewarded.

"We are on the right path," he said. "My team handed out a great performance at Atalanta and this is the way forward.

"I hope that soon my team will be rewarded for our performances with a win because in the end that is all that counts."

A victory over Roma could see Catania, who have claimed just two points so far, climb out of the drop zone.

Catania will be hoping to repeat last season's success, where a brace from Takayuki Morimoto handed the islanders a 3-2 home triumph over Roma.

Morimoto, who is Catania's top scorer, will be desperate to make amends having missed a hatful of chances in midweek.

"My job is to score goals," he said. "I missed two clear chances against Atalanta. I hope to score on Sunday.

"We are working very hard and we are improving game by game."