Posted on Friday, 14th October 2011 by Darren Kemp

has confirmed what everyone already knew,  that he will not take part in the Rome derby on Sunday.

After failing to recover in time from a thigh strain injury picked up in ’s last league outing against Atalanta on 2nd October, il Capitano spoke to reporters in a press conference earlier today and confirmed his absence from the 135th derby in Serie A between Roma and .

“It’s true, I won’t be playing in the derby,” confirmed Totti.

“I tried to recover, but I wasn’t able to. I hope to be back for the game against Palermo next week, but we’ll have to take it one day at a time.”

Being unable to take part in the action on Sunday didn’t stop the Roma legend Totti winding up the opposition as he took the opportunity to poke fun at Lazio coach Edy Reja, who has lost all four of the Rome derbies he has so far managed.

“Reja will be the key man in the derby, he’s our lucky charm! Joking aside, I hope that Miroslav Klose doesn’t play as he’s so strong.

“They’ll be favourites, though, as they always are…”

On a roll, Totti also took the chance to clear a few rumours and stories surrounding his relationship with new coach Luis Enrique and the new owners of the club.

On the new set-up

“It’s a new project, important and young,” advised Totti .

“I think they want to do some great things and have a great team. You have to when you’re in a city like this.

On Franco Baldini

“The Baldini interview? Hearing snippets of it left me unhappy. But everyone is entitled to have an opinion, also because I’ve always had a really good relationship with Franco.

“I’ve never had any problems with him. I think he’ll arrive here soon and then he can explain what his words signified.

“I’ve let it go though. I’m pleased that he’s part of the staff and I hope to win things together again.

On Luis Enrique

“Luis Enrique? Perhaps we didn’t understand each other at the start. I wanted to play, I was fit and I didn’t understand what I was doing wrong.

“I was told that I was at the centre of the project by the club, but I then didn’t play or I was substituted.

“Everything has been resolved though. I often speak with the Coach and we have a good relationship. I’d liken him to Luciano Spalletti as our game is very offensive.

“He works us hard though, two-and-a-half hours a day. I’ve not worked so much since Zdenek Zeman was here,” he joked.

“He’s a Coach who can do well in this city. He has clear and innovative ideas. He teaches us things that we have never learnt in Italy.

On his role in the look Roma

“My role? It’s up to me to find the right position on the field of play. I’m just putting myself at the disposal of the team. Saying that, it is odd that I still haven’t scored this season.”

He was also asked for his opinion on former team-mate Antonio Cassano’s admission this week that he will retire in three years time, despite only being 29 years old.  Totti answered by declaring his own future plans:

“I want to play on until I am 40. I want to continue to enjoy myself. When I see that I can no longer do that then I’ll throw in the towel.”

Finally and almost inevitably the questions came round to the on-going saga of Daniele De Rossi’s contract situation at the club.

“I’ve spoken to De Rossi” revealed Totti.

“It is his intention to stay here for life. However, I can’t go into the specifics because they are private matters. I just hope an agreement can be found as soon as possible.”

For all the latest Serie A club news don’t forget to check out the Clubs section of Forza Italian Football.

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Darren KempAuthor Darren Kemp  (109 Posts)

English AS Roma supporter living in Nottingham, England. I also follow the fortunes of local side Nottingham Forest and due to the locality spend far more time there than Rome. However, Calcio and Roma inparticular are big passions of mine and I enjoy writing articles about them. Fell in love with Italian football, like so many, in the early nineties thanks to the wonderful Robert Baggio. Still the best player I’ve ever seen. However, Roma are my team after a visit to the city a few years ago. I have my own blog for English speaking/readers called ASRomaUK at http://asromauk.blogspot.com for all of you fellow Giallorossi tifosi.


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