Francesco Totti insists there is no friction between himself and Rudi Garcia, as he assesses Roma’s title challenge.
The Giallorossi captain was substituted during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Torino, and made his displeasure with the Coach clear.
“As captain, I say we’re a good squad, driven by a Coach with whom we’ve established a very good relationship since he arrived at Roma,” Totti has explained to Corriere dello Sport.
Francesco Totti insists there is no friction between himself and Rudi Garcia, as he assesses Roma’s title challenge.
The Giallorossi captain was substituted during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Torino, and made his displeasure with the Coach clear.
“As captain, I say we’re a good squad, driven by a Coach with whom we’ve established a very good relationship since he arrived at Roma,” Totti has explained to Corriere dello Sport.
“I say this because of the reaction that has surrounded my substitution on Sunday evening. I made things clear to the Coach at the end of the game.
“In the days since, we’ve worked in perfect harmony during training as we always do. We joked around, and nothing has affected our wonderful relationship.
“I’m not always happy to leave the pitch before the final whistle, the Coach said the same thing.
“At that moment I wanted to top-off my performance with a goal, but that’s secondary to the collective interests of the team.
“We are a group, and it’s only together that we can achieve the goals we set themselves.”
Rome lie three points behind Juventus at the top of Serie A, but Totti believes that he can add a second Scudetto to his collection at the end of the season.
“I started the new season with a lot of enthusiasm.
“When I go into the dressing room at Trigoria, I see a bunch of lads who are a lot of fun. But most of all I see that around me there are a lot of quality players, even the young ones.
“After the first third of the season, we’re second in the League, we’re still in the Champions League, moving forward in everything.
“In the league Juventus are our main competitors, but there are teams behind the two of us who could still come into play.
“I think the League is closer than it was a year ago. We’re equipped to fight for the top spot.
“The important thing is to go into every game with maximum concentration, because a slip-up is never far away, even when you face teams battling for survival.
“Sunday’s return to winning ways after two defeats to Bayern, and the one against Napoli has given us the belief that we can do it.
“We’re back to playing the way we know we can.”
The World Cup winner then looked ahead to the challenges which face the Giallorossi once the international break is over, starting with a trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta.
“It’s never an easy game, but I remember a good win there in the mud the year we won the Scudetto [2001].
“We must fight, because a [Stefano] Colantuano team never gives you anything for free. I’ll rest, because I’m suspended but I’m sure my teammates will be up to the challenge.
“Then I’m expecting good news from the Olimpico, where Lazio are hosting Juventus in what is certainly not an easy game [for Juve].
“Immediately after that we head to Moscow, where we have a very important game for Champions League qualification.
“We beat the Russians at the Olimpico by five goals, but they’ve played very differently since then.
“It won’t be easy, but we have to come back with a positive result to allow us to play a decider against City in front of our fans, who I believe will be crucial in that game.
“They’re always there for us when it matters.”