Francesco Totti is fit to start against Napoli on Sunday, but Roma’s referee row with Inter rumbles on.
The captain was originally ruled out for two months when he sustained a thigh strain during the 3-2 defeat at Catania on December 21.
However, he has made a record recovery and took part in the entire training session with his teammates this afternoon.
It is entirely possible Totti will be in the starting XI for Sunday afternoon’s Derby del Sud at the Stadio San Paolo.
Mirko Vucinic and goalkeeper Alexander Doni have also recovered, so Coach Luciano Spalletti could field a trident attack with Julio Baptista and Vucinic supporting Totti.
The atmosphere at Roma is far from celebratory, though, as the refereeing row rumbles on after their controversial midweek Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Inter.
President Rosella Sensi was furious at the winning goal – with Walter Samuel in an offside position – and felt Vucinic deserved a penalty in the 2-1 defeat.
It is reported that the Giallorossi are so angry with the decision they have prepared a dossier of refereeing errors that have gone against them this season in order to protest to the Lega Calcio.
However, Napoli director general Pierpaolo Marino insists matters have been blown out of proportion.
“I was surprised,” he told Sky Italia. “Spalletti always taught everyone that a referee’s decisions must be accepted.
“We too want to carry on this philosophy. We could easily have prepared our own dossier, but that would be suggesting these mistakes are purposefully targeted against a certain club and I don’t believe that.
“Having said that, I too was unhappy with what happened in Verona.”
Napoli protested that Chievo’s winning penalty last weekend was a dive from Simone Bentivoglio.
|
