Roma

Totti Optimistic Despite Injury

Roma captain Francesco Totti wants to be fit to face Arsenal in the Champions League in February despite being ruled out for two months with a thigh injury.

27 Dec 2008 13:28:47

Much of Roma's hopes of a respectable finish in Serie A rest on the shoulders of captain Francesco Totti (Grazia Neri)

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Much of Roma's hopes of a respectable finish in Serie A rest on the shoulders of captain Francesco Totti (Grazia Neri)

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Francesco Totti

In an article published in the Corriere dello Sport newspaper, the 32-year-old hit back at the pessimists who have predicted an even longer lay-off for the injury-prone striker and promised to prove them wrong by returning to action sooner than expected.

“I had another test yesterday which confirmed the muscular tear. I will have to miss the first few games of 2009, but I have already studied a program of work with my physiotherapist to get back as soon as possible,” said the Giallorossi captain.

Totti added, “I am confident and the doctors have explained to me that it is not a serious tear. I don't think I will miss many games. It hurts to be out, particularly when I was rediscovering my best form.”

Totti's return to the Giallorossi had sparked their recent revival and, with five goals in the last eight Serie A games. His importance to the club was felt last weekend when they went down 3-2 at Catania as he picked up this latest injury.

Roma face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on February 24, by which time Totti hopes to have already picked up enough match practice to be in top condition. “I am optimistic,” concluded the captain.

Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com