Pizarro Eyeing Champions League Final For Roma

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David Pizarro - Roma (Grazia Neri)

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Roma playmaker David Pizarro has been out injured since mid-November, but is ready to make his comeback in the new year, perhaps in the match against Milan, the first of 2009 for the club. With the Giallorossi's situation in Serie A not very hopeful, the Chilean is eyeing Champions League success this season.

On the double-header against Arsenal, he said: "February isn't very far, I already can't wait. Still, a lot can change before the match and so it's hard to say who is the favorite. It will be an important match, and we are happy to be able to play it. It means a lot to us and the fans, also because this year the final is in Rome and we want to go all the way.

"For any player, playing in a Champions League final is the biggest thing you can achieve. And it would be a dream to play it at home."

Roma have never had it easy against English sides, as Pizarro acknowledges.

"We've had some problems against English teams in the past, especially away from home, but our experience will help us," he said. "At the moment they are superior to Italy and Spain in terms of economic power. I follow English football a little, especially Arsenal who play very well.

"[Coach Arsene] Wenger makes his team play good football, there are a number of young players who are showing all their worth. They are a team to respect in every sense."

Both teams will put a lot of hopes into the Champions League, as they are not flying high in their domestic league. Arsenal are eight points behind leaders Liverpool, while Roma are a whopping 19 points behind table toppers Inter.

Danilo Pochini