Milan: Italian legend Francesco Totti conceded life on the other side of the touchline was “tough” as he watched Roma win their opening Serie A match, a cagey 1-0 victory at Atalanta.
One-club man Totti’s 24-year career with Roma ended with a fairytale farewell on the final day of last season.
Barely three months on, a bronzed and suited Totti looked out of sorts as he watched the action in Bergamo with Roma sporting director Monchi, whom he is now working alongside in his role as a director at the club.
Totti, 40, said that watching his former teammates wasn’t easy.
“From the stands, watching the match is really tough,” Totti wrote on social media. “Well done lads for this first win. Forza Roma!”
Totti played 786 matches for Roma after joining as a schoolboy in 1989, scoring a club-record 307 goals, and won the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
Former Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov’s clever first-half free-kick, rolled under the defensive wall, secured the points on what was Eusebio Di Francesco’s first outing as coach of the Giallorossi.
Despite coming from a player who played with Roma’s arch rivals Lazio, the goal had major ramifications for Di Francesco. — AFP
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