Francesco Totti used his hat-trick to take revenge on critics. “Go on, say I'm finished as a player!”
The Roma captain was out for over a month following knee surgery and some claimed he did not deserve a planned contract extension until 2014.
“Now I hope they keep on saying I'm past it, as it brings me luck. Go on, say I'm finished as a player!” he grinned after the 3-1 win over Bari.
“That is all I'm saying today, as it would be too easy for me to give interviews after a hat-trick. I'd rather go home.”
Totti hadn't played since the victory over Napoli on October 4, when he also scored a brace.
In all he has netted nine Serie A goals in eight games and has caught Antonio Di Natale at the top of the Capocannoniere charts.
Di Natale cannot add to his tally this weekend, as the Udinese striker is suspended for the trip to Juventus this evening.[www.football-italia.net]
Roma kept their hopes of progressing from the group stages alive, with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Fulham at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite going behind to a first half penalty, a red card to their English opposition early in the second half opened the door for the Giallorossi, who made the most of their opportunity by scoring twice within the space of seven minutes in the latter stages of the encounter.
“The victory was the best thing that the team could have asked for tonight,” Julio Baptista was quoted as saying to Roma Channel after the match.
“It took us a while to adapt, as they were very fast and difficult to play against.
“I am happy with my game, and although I didn’t play the best, I was happy to at least contribute in some way. For a player it’s very important when a coach gives you confidence, and you always want to do better when this is the case.”
Irrespective of their crucial result though, the Brazilian concluded by warning his team-mates that this weekend’s league clash against Inter will be a whole lot more significant.
He added, “I am a bit tired, but we must now think about Sunday. This will be a very important game for us, and we know that we can go to Milan and do well.”[www.goal.com]
Roma captain Francesco Totti has had a minor operation on his troublesome right knee and his recovery time is uncertain, his club said.
The 33-year-old striker suffered cruciate ligament damage in April last year and underwent major surgery.
His knee continued to cause him problems last season though and he has missed the last two league games after suffering discomfort.
"No other tears were found in the course of the surgery," Roma said, adding it was too early to say when he might play again.
Totti, who started the campaign in good form, had been linked with an Italy return for next year's World Cup having retired from international football after their 2006 triumph.
Mid-table Roma also announced that former Italy volleyball coach Gianpaolo Montali would work as a consultant for the club for the next two seasons.
He previously worked on the Juventus board and recently turned down an approach to become Napoli's sporting director.[uk.eurosport.yahoo.com]
Roma talisman Francesco Totti admits he might miss this weekend's southern derby match against Napoli.
The 33-year-old was rested last night as Roma beat CSKA Sofia in the Europa League.
The back problem that has plighted much of his career appears to have returned to haunt him.
“It's true. The back is giving me bother again. I don't know if I'll make it in time for the game against Napoli,” Totti is quoted as saying leaving the dressing room last night.
The news comes as a real blow to Claudio Ranieri as Roma are now in a fully-fledged injury crisis.
Matteo Brighi, Philippe Mexes, Marco Cassetti, Rodrigo Taddei and Julio Baptista were all forced to watch last night's game from the stands.
The club's medical staff expect to recover a couple in time for Sunday, the most likely being Brighi and Mexes.[football-italia.net]
Juventus' perfect start to the new season continued as they posted a 2-0 win at Lazio on Saturday.
Ciro Ferrara's side moved three points clear at the summit thanks to second-half strikes by Martin Caceres (72) and David Trezeguet (90), although they will see that lead wiped out if Genoa and Sampdoria win their games in hand on Sunday.
The victory was Juve's second successive Serie A triumph at Rome's Stadio Olimpico. The Bianconeri triumphed 3-1 at Roma in their last match before the international break thanks to two goals from top summer signing Diego.
Defeat for Lazio was their first of the season after also kicking off their campaign with two wins. Davide Ballardini's side remain in fourth place.
In the day's other game, AC Milan's disappointing start to the season continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Livorno.
The Rossoneri looked bereft of ideas as they failed to make amends for their 4-0 defeat to Inter Milan a fortnight ago with a lacklustre display in Tuscany.
Four-time defending champions Inter Milan are fourth after goals from Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito proved enough to end Parma's stubborn resistance at the San Siro.
Alberto Gilardino scored as Fiorentina beat Cagliari 1-0 while goals from Giampiero Pinzi and Sergio Pellissier gave Chievo a 2-0 win at Bologna.
New Roma boss Claudio Ranieri got off to a winning start thanks to an 89th-minute strike from substitute John Arne Riise against 10-man Siena.
Roma President Rosella Sensi admits she is very sorry Luciano Spalletti decided to leave the club earlier this week after four years on the bench.
The 50-year-old Spalletti said he was tired and could no longer transmit his ideas to the players who have shown a distinct lack of determination in Roma's opening two games of the season.
Sensi has come under fire from the fans who regard Spalletti as one of the best trainers in the club's history, having won the Coppa Italia twice in his time at the club.
“I am sorry. I am sorry that Spalletti has left the club,” Sensi told journalists on arriving at a meeting of the Lega Calcio.
“There are always protests from the fans,” she said on being asked if her family had finally lost the faith of the club's supporters.
Claudio Ranieri has since been appointed as Spalletti's replacement. [football-italia.net]
AS Roma camps was clean. They now have a new coach named Claudio Ranieri. But for Giallorossi captain, Francesco Totti, the former coach Luciano Spalletti gives the impression of its own
some time ago Totti had said he wanted to retire at the hands Spalletti. But in fact, Spalletti Totti should be eliminated while still actively playing.
"I thank Spalletti for what he gave to AS Roma and for my career," Totti said as quoted Goal Italy, Wednesday, September 2, 2009.
