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Brighi regrets slow start	Wednesday 25 February, 2009

Roma midfielder Matteo Brighi was left to rue a sluggish start against Arsenal last night. The Giallorossi were slow out of the blocks in the first half of their Champions League last 16 first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Robin Van Persie scored the only goal of the game for the Gunners to leave Roma with an uphill battle. “They got off to a flying start and were much better than us,” Brighi admitted to LaRoma24.it. “We were pinned back in our own half at the start, but we did have a couple of opportunities and the game could've been very different if we had converted them. “Things did improve. The result was probably fair, but we believe we can overturn the result in the second leg.” Brighi could have a crucial role in the Stadio Olimpico date because midfield ace Daniel De Rossi is suspended after being booked. “We all know what De Rossi is worth to this team and we will all have to work hard to make up for his absence,” the former Juventus man said.

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