Lazio coach Stefano Pioli was coy on his future ahead of a derby clash with Roma that could see former World Cup winners Miroslav Klose and Francesco Totti face each other for the last time.

Pioli's future remains under a cloud after a terrible first half to the season left Lazio out of contention for a place in Europe next term.

But the coach said: "All I'm focused on is the game. It seems some of the media are a lot more preoccupied about my future than I am.

"Now is not the time to scrutinise my spell at the club."

With on-form Roma holding firmly on to third place and the league's last Champions League qualifying spot, Lazio -- in eighth at a further 18 points adrift -- will start as slight underdogs.

But in a match that could see Lazio's veteran striker Klose and evergreen Roma playmaker Totti lock horns for the last time, Pioli believes league form will go out the window.

"Football is full of surprises. The derby is a special kind of match and can bring out the best in the players. It's a very important objective for us, and we know what the derby means for Rome.

"I've prepared for the game in the best way possible."

Fans might be expecting fireworks, but the Stadio Olimpico could ring with the sound of silence -- if fans agree to calls to continue an ongoing boycott.

Thousands of Roma fans have deserted the famous stadium this season in protest at added security measures, including barriers which separate the ultras' traditional territory of the 'Curva', and on Thursday several banners calling for fans to stay away were seen around the city.

It would be an ill-fitting farewell to Roma icon Totti on his 23rd, and possibly final season with the club, who have so far refused to extend his contract beyond June in the hope he will take up a director's role.

Doubts also remain over the future of Lazio icon Klose, who, having joined the Italians in 2011, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 when he equalled a record for scoring in four different World Cups and set a new record of scoring 16 goals.

But while Klose remains an integral part of Pioli's plans this term, Totti will start on the bench amid an injury-hit campaign that has seen him make only six appearances.

In essence, Totti could play his final derby in front of as little as 10,000 fans -- a "sad" scenario that Roma defender Antonio Rudiger cannot fathom.

"It's sad to think this could be Totti's final derby," said the German. "Francesco's a legend and I'm said to think that this could be his last game against Lazio."

Totti created headlines around the world last year when he celebrated hitting a second-half double in a 2-2 draw with Lazio by taking a 'selfie' of himself with Roma fans in the background.

Times have since changed, but Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said he won't bow to emotion.

"If I was a fan I'd also send Totti out to play... but as a coach I have to shut down certain emotions and take certain things into consideration," he said.

With 244 goals in Serie A, Totti is only second to retired, all-time record-holder Silvio Piola (274).

A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, Totti has won two Italian Cups with Roma but finished runner-up in the league title race an incredible eight times.