Totti showing no signs of age as 40th birthday approaches
Itmightbejustdaysbefore his 40th birthday but Roma forward Francesco Totti is showing no signs of slowing down.
On Wednesday, Totti was handedhisfirststartinalmost exactly a year and he helped his side to a 4-0 win over newly-promoted Crotone.
Totti, who will celebrate his landmark birthday next Tuesday, did not get on the scoresheet himself but he lit up the Stadio Olimpico early in the second half with a splendid long-range pass for Roma’s third of the night.
The former Italy international sent the ball with pinpoint accuracy to Edin Dzeko, who lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Stephan El Shaarawy and Mohamed Salah had netted in the first half and Dzeko doubled his tally in the 57th minute, shortly before Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Raffaele Palladino’s penalty.
“You saw up front a change, in being more clinical — finishing off the chances the team creates,” Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said.
“Totti is good physically. I knewthematchwouldbedifficult, that they would defend well,andhealwaysmanagesto create something out of nothing. I want the team to absorb thatfromhim,tousehimasan example of anticipating plays.”
Totti, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, has spent his whole career at Roma and is likely to retire when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Crisis averted
Crisis, what crisis? Juventus bounced back with an emphatic 4-0 win over Cagliari to move back to the top of Serie A after Napoli could only draw at Genoa.
Juventus lost its perfect start to the season on Sunday as Inter Milan came from behind to win 2-1 — a result which came days after a goalless draw against Sevilla in the Champions League.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side was clearly out for blood and had 10 shots on target in the first half, something which had not happened since the 2004-05 season.
“We’re back at the top of the table, being behind is never nice,” Allegri said. “We had a good reaction after the defeat at San Siro and the excessive criticism.”