Totti determined to etch his name in Fergie's memory
AS Roma's Francesco Totti passes the ball during the Italian Serie A match against AC Milan in Rome on March 31, 2007. Reuters |
Ferguson caused outrage among Romans after he failed to mention Totti when listing the Roma players he most admires.
The United coach cited midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Mancini as their key men and completely overlooked the exalted number 10.
Totti, a born-and-bred Roman who enjoys god-like status in the Eternal City, responded by giving Ferguson a stark warning ahead of the Olympic stadium clash.
"I accept Ferguson's opinion of me, but he will see who Totti is and I hope to make him remember me for a long time," said the 30-year-old Italian World Cup winner.
Ferguson feels getting to grips with Roma's strange formation will be the key to success over the two legs.
The Italian side play with a five-man midfield with Totti, an unorthodox striker, playing as a lone forward. However, the Roma skipper tends to do his own thing, often dropping into midfield to allow De Rossi, Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei to get forward.
"Roma's system is a key factor for us because they play without a central striker," Ferguson said.
"We have the players who can adapt tactically, but we have to get it right."
Totti believes Roma, who are almost certain to finish second in Serie A this season, could not have picked a better time to face the Premiership leaders.
"Physically and mentally we are in good shape, and this tie has come at the right moment for us," he said.
"There's no doubt that these two games will be difficult, but we have everything we need to match them."
Roma have lacked self-belief in recent European campaigns, but the current side are bristling with confidence after knocking Lyon out in the previous round.
Lyon were tipped by many to win the competition, but after a 0-0 draw in Italy, Roma won 2-0 at the Stade de Gerland to end the French champions' 18-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League.
It was the first time Lyon had been beaten at home in European competition since 2002 and took Roma through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time.
Roma did, however, go all the way to the final of the old European Cup in 1984 - effectively a home match as it was held at the Olympic stadium - but they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
Despite their reputation as one of the most dangerous sides on the Continent, United have struggled in the Champions League in recent seasons, with this their first appearance in the last eight since the 2002-03 season.
The Red Devis also have a poor record in Italy having won just twice in 11 previous visits to the peninsula.
Roma are weakened by the loss of suspended Chilean playmaker David Pizarro, while four of his teammates are a booking away from missing the second leg at Old Trafford.
Walking the disciplinary tightrope are Totti, midfielders De Rossi and Simone Perrotta and defender Philippe Mexes.
Full-back Max Tonetto, who recently earned his first call-up for Italy, is also on a booking but has almost certainly been ruled out after suffering his left thigh.
Ferguson has problems in defence after Nemanja Vidic broke his collarbone in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The 25-year-old Serbian centre-back joins captain Gary Neville and Frenchman Mikael Silvestre on the list of injured defenders.
The likeliest solution for Ferguson is to move Wes Brown into the centre and put John O'Shea at right-back.
AFP
(China Daily 04/04/2007 page23)
