Francesco Totti reveals he called up current Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini to give him advice after the missed penalty against Feyenoord. ‘He is returning to the level we all expect.’
There had been some criticism of Pellegrini after he fired a penalty onto the upright in the 1-0 first leg Europa League quarter-final defeat to Feyenoord.
Ultras responded with a banner reassuring him that they remained behind their captain, who then scored in the next Serie A match to break his goal drought.
Speaking as a guest on DAZN this evening, Roma legend Totti reveals he too stepped in with advice for the current captain.
“The captain has responsibilities that are different to the rest of the squad. I think we have understood the importance both of the player and the person,” said Totti.
“I am super happy for him. We spoke this week and exchanged some messages, I tried to reassure and encourage him after the penalty against Feyenoord. We said many things in private, he received them, and is proving himself as a man and a player.
“Pellegrini is returning to the level that we all expect, the captain of Roma.”
Now Totti might also have some advice to give to Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who was guilty of a terrible howler in this evening’s 3-1 Serie A defeat to Atalanta.
The shot-stopper was already reassured at the final whistle by coach Jose Mourinho and the World Cup winner sent on a message.
“These mistakes happen in football, the problem for the goalkeeper is there’s usually nobody to cover for him. Rui Patricio has rescued many points for Roma and he deserves only compliments, as he is an international level goalkeeper.”