It’s hard to believe Francesco totti has turned 40 last Tuesday. Francesco capped another memorable week with three assists as Roma thrashed Astra Giurgiu 4-0 in Group E of the Europa League. The genius playmaker, who scored his 250th Serie A goal on Sunday made the difference once again. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute as Strootman volleyed in at the back post following a right-wing free-kick from the Captain. Totti then played a significant role in Roma’s second, smashing a vicious free-kick towards the top right-corner to hit the croosbar, then converted by Fazio in the rebound to claim his first goal for the club. The scoring would then be finished less than ten minutes later with Salah while Totti was again the provider. “Totti is magnificent, it was like watching a Playstation game,” said Astra the coach in his Press conference after the game.
So, Roma are now top of the Group, a healthy win but against a very poor team. On the night there were other few things that still did not convince us. Salah is still oner of our finest players but lately he does not make the right chioce in front of the keeper; Peres is till struggling to show what is capable of, far too shy on the flank. Last night it was the chance to see some new players like Seck but instead Florenzi came on. Juan Jesus was back but he’s not a player you could rely on at this moment. What happened to Emerson Palmieri?? Paredes was on the ball when called and should really find more space in the future. Gerson. The brazilian played the last 20 mins showing he’s got some skills but could not see much of his potential. Pity that Spalletti has virtually said he’s not good for italian football but he’s only 18 and it was unfair to hear that from the coach…then why spending 18million then? Last but not least, Juan Iturbe. The fans were asking loudly for a goal but he just could not do it. His temmates tried hard to get him on the scoresheet, not a chance. Is he at his last resort?
To move on: First of all, the endless debate between Totti and Spalletti, their clash of personalities and everything else, Roma fans are not interested, we are interested that Roma win and that the best team is fielded. Francesco Totti is still at the helm and Spalletti cannot longer deny that. Last night he played the full 90 minutes, he feels well by his own admission but at the same time we wished the coach could have spared him for the Inter game next Sunday. Given his state of form we expect him to be on the pitch from the start, he would be silly to play him against a team like Astra for the full lenght of the game and rest him for the big ones when we most need him. As we have seen is not just his presence but the quality of passes, touch and vision. He’s always ahead of everybody else. Greatest player in Roma history and possibly the greatest italian player of all time. Legend. Happy birthday Capitano. Auguri!
Stefano Sale
