Totti asks Roma fans to support Enrique
Reuters - Wednesday 07 September 2011, 15:25
ROME - Francesco Totti has appealed to AS
Roma fans to support new coach Luis Enrique, who has already
been jeered for substituting the former Italy striker.
It was, however, the briefest of statements issued on
Totti's website and may only
temporarily bury the controversy surrounding his substitution in
a recent Europa League qualifier.
"All of us should rally around the new coach, the squad and
the club so we can start this championship in the best way
possible," he said.
"We hope you will all go the stadium to support us as you
always do and I'm sure we will make you celebrate."
Totti, often left on the bench last season by Claudio
Ranieri, was omitted from the starting line-up for the Europa
League playoff away to Slovan Bratislava last month.
The next day, the 34-year-old turned up for training wearing
a t-shirt with the word "Enough" written across the front.
He then reacted angrily when substituted in the home leg
against Bratislava and the fans jeered Enrique, quickly leading
to speculation about the new coach's future at the club where
Totti enjoys undying support from the fans.
The Serie A season starts at the weekend with Roma hosting
Cagliari on Sunday.