#10 Francesco Totti - The Big 500!!

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti rues penalty miss Tuesday 26 August, 2008

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Francesco Totti has admitted his frustration at missing a chance to win the Italian Super Cup from the penalty spot.

Roma's inspirational captain struck the bar with a spot-kick that would have clinched the annual curtain raiser and had to watch as Inter turned things around to lift the silverware.

It was an important psychological boost for Jose Mourinho's men ahead of the start of the Serie A season and one that annoyed Totti.

“We have already gifted two Super Cups to Inter, even if the first was even more dramatic in 2006 when we threw away a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3,” Totti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It was a real shame to miss the penalty like that because it had all seemed like the 2006 World Cup against Australia.

“I came on as a substitute and had a penalty that could decide the game. It all seemed written for me, like a film.

“I had a thousand thoughts in my head and I wondered whether to change the usual angle that I hit penalties at.

“I was asking myself whether to hit in with the inside of my foot and not to strike it too fully but it went too high anyway.

“It was such a pity because I had prepared a hundred dedications and celebrations.”

However, Totti was able to see the silver lining after a positive performance at San Siro.

“I think we managed to express ourselves from the second half onwards and it was a good starting point ahead of the first game of the season against Napoli,” he said.

“There can be no false start, we must win the first game of the season.”

as the saying goes"when u think too much and are indecisive, that will kill you".

but i bet the next time he steps up to the spot he will just take a simple stuff and stop the thinking all together as always.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti believes in new blood Wednesday 3 September, 2008

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Despite Roma's disappointing opening day draw with Napoli, Francesco Totti has high hopes for the new-look Giallorossi.

Luciano Spalletti's side failed to see off a 10-man Napoli outfit at the Stadio Olimpico, but none of the other Scudetto favourites managed to record a win.

And Totti insists that Julio Baptista, Simone Loria, Jeremy Menez and John Arne Riise are the right reinforcements.

“I am sure that we will learn to appreciate the newcomers,” Er Pupone told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I haven't had time to get to know Menez well yet but I am sure that Riise and Baptista are great players with important international experience.

“They will be very useful during the course of the season and Loria will also be able to give us a hand.

“I'm hoping that there is more space for the young players this term because the experience can allow them to reach a higher level.”

agreed il capitano

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Thats the only part of the week that calmed me down, was that the other big teams either tied or lossed...so it doenst make a difference...im anxious to see menez play along side totti

[dukeofdavinci]

well one side you can be happy the other big's dropped just same as us, but then you then you realize we could have capitalized on them while their weak before they can inflict misery on us when we repeat our stupid generosity in league.

either way we are still loses on te matter, the only thing separates it is the 1 point wch will go a long way.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

1 point...dont u mean 2?

[dukeofdavinci]

1 point...dont u mean 2?

ohh what i meant was we dropped points but only dropped 2, while some dropped all 3.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti targets Cluj role Tuesday 16 September, 2008

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Roma captain Francesco Totti is determined to feature against CFR Cluj this evening and admits he is puzzled by the Giallorossi's shaky start.

Totti has been out of action since he limped off against Livorno towards the end of last season.

Despite coming on as a substitute in the Italian Super Cup, Er Pupone's knee problem has prevented him from featuring in either of the Lupi's two Serie A matches, from which Luciano Spalletti's men picked up just one point.

“It's difficult to explain what's happening,” Totti admitted. “But we have done well for the last three years and we will certainly do well again this season.

“I honestly believe that we will have a great Champions League and Serie A campaign.”

Although he still isn't fully fit, Totti has set his heart on playing some part in Roma's Champions League opener against Romanian champions Cluj at the Stadio Olimpico.

“I'm at around 70 per cent, but I can still feel some mild discomfort in my knee,” he explained.

“However, I will be there and ready to go if Spalletti decides to put me on the field.

“The fans should stay calm because we are confident. We have brought in some quality new players and they will help us improve.

“It's always tough at the start but the group will gel and things will get better”

Roma (probable): Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Panucci, Riise; Aquilani, Pizarro, Taddei, Julio Baptista, Tonetto; Vucinic

Cluj (probable): Stancioiu; Tony, Cadu, De Sousa, Panin, Culio; Dani, Trica, Muresan, Peralta; Konè

good to have him back for our cl opener.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti wins fair play prize Thursday 18 September, 2008

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Roma captain Francesco Totti has won the Silver Ball award for demonstrating fair play in Serie A during the 2007-08 campaign.

The Giallorossi are struggling at the moment after picking up just one point from their first two League games and being humiliated in the Champions League by CFR Cluj.

But Totti will have some respite from his worries when he receives the Silver Ball prize before Saturday's game against Reggina at the Stadio Olimpico.

The honour is given to: “the player who displays sportsmanship, morality and generosity” during the season.

Previous winners include Inter skipper Javier Zanetti, Milan hitman Andriy Shevchenko, new West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and Luca Toni.

Kaka received the award in 2006-07 and Totti becomes the second Roma man to be honoured after Damiano Tommasi - who now plies his trade for Queens Park Rangers.

a mature player who has learnt alot.congrats to il capitano

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti's knee consolation Sunday 19 October, 2008

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Francesco Totti had precious little to celebrate on his comeback other than the fact his knee held up under the strain.

“The only positive thing of the night was that my knee reacted well and I did not feel pain. Everything else goes into the background as far as I am concerned,” he said after Roma's 4-0 thrashing by Inter.

He had not played since the game with Reggina on September 21 due to a recurring problem in the knee that underwent ligament surgery earlier this year.

“The most worrying thing now is our position in the table, but with this squad built to go all the way, I think sooner or later we will get back into that leading group.”

The Giallorossi have already lost four games this season and their fragile psychological state is hardly ideal for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Chelsea.

“Playing every three days means we have the chance to quickly put this defeat behind us, even if we know it is going to be another very difficult game against a competitive side,” said the captain.

“I had faith in a positive result tonight as well, but it didn't go according to plan. Inter improve every year and now have a very talented Coach who gave them another dimension. This is a devastating opponent.”

Roma are a shadow of their former selves and it is unclear what has caused this collapse, whether physical, psychological or tactical.

“When the results don't come, everything is to blame to one degree or another. We have the squad to get back on our feet, though.

“We will try to come together and lock everything else out, focusing only on Roma and getting our results.”

good news in this hard times.at least we are having players recovering.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti identifies turning point Wednesday 26 November, 2008

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Francesco Totti believes the change in Roma has come from the tactics and the gladiatorial spirit.

“I liked the spirit of the team, the desire to make our mark in a tough arena. We are giving consistency to the positive results in these recent weeks,” he said after a 3-1 win in Cluj.

The captain curled in a free kick, which was curiously his fourth goal in as many away games.

“The important thing is to score - I don't care how it goes in! Roma need victories right now to boost confidence so we can keep pushing forward.”

Totti was partnered by Julio Baptista, as Mirko Vucinic was suffering from flu, but the 4-4-2 tactic with a diamond midfield continues to impress.

“The system is making the difference. Since we changed our approach on the field, it has been a series of positive results, so we need to continue with this tactic,” added il Capitano.

Roma currently top the group, but are not mathematically qualified, as Bordeaux could go through if they win at the Olimpico.

“We obviously would've preferred that Chelsea win in France, as it would be a different game. Now with a defeat we risk going out of the competition, but with our current spirit it will be tough for Bordeaux.”

It is a remarkable turnaround anyway, considering the Giallorossi's dismal start to the Champions League with two defeats from their first three games.

“In all honesty no, I didn't expect to be here! After the opening defeat to Cluj everyone said we were done for.

“After the win in Bordeaux and the victory over Chelsea, we proved that we had what it took to go through. I won't say we will win the group, but we can certainly progress in the competition.”

long time coming from our il capitano.glad to see him score now lets get that qualification on md6