Totti To Poulsen: You Can Shove Your Handshake!

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Francesco Totti, Roma (Foto Grazia Neri)

Poulsen completed his €9.75m move to Juventus from Sevilla on Tuesday, signing a four year contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 28-year-old is something of an infamous figure in Italy, all dating back to his clash with Francesco Totti in the group game between Italy and Denmark at Euro 2004. Following the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, television pictures showed Poulsen being spat on by Totti, an act that was missed by the referee.

At a swiftly arranged disciplinary hearing, Totti was then handed a three-match ban, thus potentially ruling him out until the semi final. The No.10 then issued a "full public apology", while also claiming that he was severely provoked by Poulsen.

Since signing for Juventus, Poulsen has promised to forget what has happened and shake Totti’s hand when Juventus play Roma this season. The Giallorossi symbol though has made it perfectly clear how he feels about the situation.

"It's easy to talk now," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He could have come and told the truth at the hearing the day after. I don't think he adds anything [to Juve] at a technical level."

Azzurri Return

Totti also spoke about a possible return to the Italy national team, once again claiming that he may come back in time for the 2010 World Cup.

“With Lippi I have a great relationship,” Er Pupone explained.

“I hear from him often. I also complimented him when he returned as I was happy for him. We have talked about the future and Lippi asked me how my rehabilitation [from injury] is going.

"If I'm well and I don't have problems, it will be possible to address this issue in six months or a year."

Totti played his last game for the Azzurri in the 2006 World Cup final win over France two years ago. Following a season of uncertainty, he finally announced his retirement from international football last year, but could he now be set for a return?

Alessio Alexis