Francesco Totti is set to break Roma’s all-time Serie A appearance record if he plays in tonight’s game against Internazionale.
Totti will overtake Giacomo Losi’s long-standing club record by making his 387th top-flight appearance for Roma tonight, having broken the midfielder’s all-time club appearance record of 451 games in all competitions last year. Totti is also Roma’s leading scorer of all time.
The foot problem which prompted Totti’s early retirement from international football continues to trouble the 31-year-old, but Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is pleased with his current fitness levels
“I can see the progress he has been making as he has trained well for the last three or four weeks,” said Spalletti. “You cannot see the benefits immediately but they will be very visible soon.”
The coach is eager utilise Totti in a game he admits his side cannot afford to lose if they have any title ambitions.
“If Inter win this game, they will be almost impossible to catch, but if we win the race will be open,” he continued.
“They are stronger than us physically but we need to play our game. We know how tough it will be but we beaten them in the past. We are ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Inter coach Roberto Mancini, perhaps with one eye on next week’s Champions league encounter against Liverpool, is prepared to rest striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I think he needs a rest,” Mancini said. “It will do him good and I am sure he will be ready for the next Serie A game.”
