Roma (8/13 – 90 minutes) coach Claudio Ranieri says Francesco Totti’s five-month goal drought is not a concern going into tonight’s Champions League Group E clash with FC Basel (9/2) at the Olympic Stadium.
Roma hailed the performance of the Roma captain who was instrumental in the Giallorossi’s crucial 2-1 victory over Genoa at the weekend.
Totti has not scored since May, a run of 10 matches spanning the close season, and some critics had even suggested he may have been unhappy with his role in the line-up.
But, following his display against Genoa, Ranieri again refuted rumours concerning the pair’s apparently deteriorating relationship.
“He always trains to the limit. He’s missing a goal… but I’m very happy with him,” said the ex-Chelsea coach.
“I read that Totti was against me. You can’t write anything more absurd.
“I have a loyal relationship with all the players, particularly with my captain, who has spent his life here and who has suffered a thousand wrongs for his team.
“As a Roman and a Romanista (Roma fan), I don’t understand it.”
Ranieri is aware of the difficulty his side may face against Basel, who stuned the Serie A side 2-0 in last season’s Europa League clash at St Jakob Park (1/6 Roma – Group E To Qualify).
“They are a side that defend well, and are good on the counter-attack – they came close to getting a result against Bayern Munich,” he said.
“We know their strong and weak points, but I’d prefer to go into those with my players, not here.”
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