Luciano Spalletti is “considering” 40-year-old Francesco Totti from the start when Roma host Inter tomorrow night.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Kevin Strootman confessed this week that the Giallorossi feel more confident when Totti is on the pitch, so will the captain start against Inter?
Luciano Spalletti is “considering” 40-year-old Francesco Totti from the start when Roma host Inter tomorrow night.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Kevin Strootman confessed this week that the Giallorossi feel more confident when Totti is on the pitch, so will the captain start against Inter?
“It is right not to give advantages to a strong side like Inter by giving them my line-up in advance,” replied Spalletti in a Press conference.
Er Pupone celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday and two days later put in a stunning performance against Astra Giurgiu, earning his place in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Week.
You can read our extensive tribute to Totti upon this landmark celebration.
“In June you all wanted him to have a tour of every stadium for his final game there, today you are asking for him to start in an important match.
“If we found somewhere in between, which is what I am trying to do, we find a solution to everything. So far I have behaved precisely as I said I would.
“I already said that for me it’s fundamental who does what is best for the team. Totti did well and is therefore being considered.
“You know he has a certain age and that has to be taken into account. You all assumed this was his last season, but nobody in June said what I did, which was we’ll see how he does and then evaluate it.
“He is currently, despite having to be rested in certain situations, within the team and does what he needs to do in the right way. If he’d evaluated what you lot wrote, he’d have quit already.”
Is Spalletti more pleased or worried about Roma being so dependent on Totti?
“I am only pleased when the team improves. If I have to be worried about anything, it’s the rest of the side. For example, against Astra it was Juan Iturbe who earned the free kick for Totti to take, but I didn’t read that anywhere. You don’t give other players the credit they are due and he got a right kicking on his ankle for that.
“I am happy with Francesco and the more wonderful moves he creates, the happier I am.”