Zebre must not let Benetton Treviso’s losing run lull them into a false sense of security according to team manager Andrea de Rossi.

Treviso are still without a win in any competition this season, but will be hoping to break that duck in this weekend’s Italian GUINNESS PRO12 derby at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

And De Rossi knows that despite some promising results from Zebre, who have now won four games this year, a derby is an entirely different kettle of fish.

“At Zebre we prepare every game, week to week, without calculations or strategies, we just want to win,” said De Rossi.

“Of course the derby against Treviso has a particular and different aspect to it: you can sense it in the air all week which shows how much importance everyone places on this game.

“I’m jealous of the 23 players who will be on the pitch. I think it will be a close game with very few points in it, which means that discipline and accuracy from the kicking tee could be the keys to the game.

“Benetton are favourites given previous games but we might be in a better mental state thanks to some good results. That shouldn’t mean that we lower our guard though, given that last season we were in the same position.”

For Treviso, this weekend marks another opportunity to get off the mark after a difficult fortnight in Europe where they were twice beaten by Stade Français.

They had come desperately close in their last GUINNESS PRO12 game, losing 22-20 to leaders Scarlets but for Alberto Sgarbi, who made his return from injury against Stade, the most important thing is winning the derby, not worrying about the table.

“The game against Zebre is extremely important,” said Sgarbi.

“The points in the table don’t count and there is no lack of motivation, we need to think only about the game.

“We have to impose our game, we’ll be taking on guys we know well and with whom we get on well off the pitch. The match will be another story though.”

At Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 3pm local time (2pm UK & Ireland). Live on RAI Sport
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 14th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Claudio Blessano, Matteo Liperini (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Francesco Grillo (FIR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)