We need Totti, says Don
Thursday 7 September, 2006
Coach Roberto Donadoni is ready to turn to Francesco Totti in a desperate effort to get Italy’s European Championship qualifying campaign back on track.
Totti stated last week that he didn’t intend to play for the Nazionale again until 2007, but he’s likely to get the call after the Azzurri followed up Saturday’s 1-1 Lithuania draw with a 3-1 loss in France last night.
And with must win games against Ukraine and Georgia coming up next month, Donadoni has hinted he will recall the Roman for those ties.
“Italy now need their champions and I trust that two or three of them will be at my disposal in October,” noted the former Milan winger.
“As for Totti, I know he last said he would not return until next year, but that is not what he had told me. We agreed to speak every once in a while to assess his physical condition.
“I will call him, as I will do with the other world champions who were not in Paris. I don’t want all the attention focused on Totti, but Italy now really need him.”
Donadoni, who has failed to win any of his first three games in charge, is also likely to recall Luca Toni and the experienced Alessandro Del Piero.
Italy’s place at Euro 2008 now looks in real jeopardy and captain Fabio Cannavaro is aware that no more mistakes will be permitted.
“We have to now recover from this defeat and find our peace of mind again,” said the Real Madrid man. “We know that every match from now on can be decisive.
“France played a good tie, they scored immediately and we were only able to react during the first half.
“Their physical condition is much better than ours and they deserved to win.”
The Azzurri face the Ukraine in Rome on October 7 and then travel to Georgia on October 11.