Francesco Totti celebrated with 40th birthday on Tuesday, a milestone that encapsulates 25 seasons at one club, AS Roma. Totti has been as effective as ever for the Giallorossi, scoring two goals and registering two assists in just 192 minutes of Serie A action this season.
His league play was rewarded with a start and rare 90 minutes of action in Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Romanian opposition Astra Giurgiu. The Roman delighted supporters at the Stadio Olimpico with another vintage performance.
His 15th minute free kick from the right was sumptuously curled into the commentators ‘corridor of uncertainty’, Kevin Strootman on hand to side foot home.
In first half stoppage time, Totti once again stood over a free kick on the right-hand side of the box. This time, he went for goal. The goalkeeper managed to tip his vicious strike onto the crossbar, but Federico Fazio was there to head in the rebound.
In the 54th minute, Mohamed Salah finally finished off a gorgeous pass from Totti. Earlier in the match, Totti had sent Salah through on goal with a clever back heel, only for the keeper to save his effort.
Francesco Totti still unlocking defences like a boss pic.twitter.com/bcohVP37Sp
— TheSportsHangout (@Sports_Hangout) September 29, 2016
This time, Salah provided a fantastic, outside-of-the-boot touch to Totti’s inch-perfect ball over the top of the Astra defense.
Totti has been named to the UEFA Europa League Team of the Week for his efforts in the win.
Introducing the https://t.co/kivzZlwa6p #UEL Team of the Week... pic.twitter.com/KswzriU0QQ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 30, 2016
Speaking with Sky Sport Italia after the match, Totti had this to say: “In the first half, I joked with the physiotherapist, saying: ‘Wow, I didn’t feel so good even when I was 25.’ But it’s true, I’m feeling fine physically and fine in the legs. I can cope pretty well with 90 minutes.”
Totti also spoke of his 40th birthday, which the Roma team had been given a day off to celebrate.
“I was still wearing my suit from my birthday because it was made to measure so it was difficult to take off. Joking aside, that’s in the past now. It was important tonight to show to everybody what a team we are. We’ve given a good answer and we hope it continues this way.”
Roma are currently tied with Austria Vienna at the top of their Europa League group, both sides having accumulated four points through two matches.
After six matches in Serie A, Roma currently occupy the fourth spot, trailing leaders Juventus by five points.
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