Chivu raises Roman standard

Romania and Rome share almost two millennia of history but ask an AS Roma fan what they associate with the word Romania and they will likely reply, "Cristian Chivu".

Historic links
The Ancient Romans conquered the territory now known as Romania after two wars at the start of the second century AD and the building blocks for the modern nation were the result of the mixing of the Latin and local languages and cultures. "Noi de la Rìm se tragerm" - Our ancestors came from Rome - wrote Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu and the icon of Rome's foundation, the Capitoline She-Wolf, is displayed in several cities in the eastern European country.

'Nothing compares'
However, the new symbol of the unity between Rome and Romania is the Resita-born Chivu. The Romania captain has helped inspire Roma to the verge of their first UEFA Champions League knockout campaign. The former FC Universitatea Craiova and AFC Ajax defender's experience has proved crucial in helping Luciano Spalletti's team keep two clean sheets in four Group D fixtures. "The Champions League is everything a player can dream of at club level," Chivu told uefa.com. "Nothing compares with the Champions League."

Staying put
Despite bad luck with injuries over recent years earning him the nickname Swarovski - Roma fans suggest he is as delicate as crystal - he has proved no less valuable, attracting interest from clubs throughout Europe. But he is going nowhere. "I am feeling so good at Roma," the 26-year-old said. "The most important thing is concentrating exclusively on my job. The club have started negotiations about extending my contract [beyond 2008], but for the moment, nothing else counts as much as qualifying for the next Champions League and going as far as possible in this season's competition."

Second spot
The Giallorossi hold a five-point advantage over Olympiacos CFP and FC Shakhtar Donetsk in second place in Group D, behind Valencia CF, but Chivu is not looking too far ahead. "Only great teams with players who make the difference on the pitch can win the Champions League," he said. "You always have to be patient, especially in balanced games, and then be ready to strike when your opponents make mistakes. Of course you also have to take risks. But one thing is to take risks in the domestic league when you have time to recover, another to do it in the Champions League".

'Cruel' game
Chivu pointed to the example of Matchday 1 when the Giallorossi defeated Shakhtar after a very even first half. "We waited patiently until the last 20 minutes," he said. "And when we scored the first, we didn't stop. If we had the opportunity to score more goals, we would have done so. Because this is football. Very often it is cruel. If you don't take your chances, you're out. At this level, the big teams punish you immediately when they have the opportunity." Something the Serie A outfit learnt to their cost in their second group outing. "I slipped and Valencia scored," he rued. "One single mistake and you can lose a game."

Consolidation
Experience plays a part in that, and Chivu worries Roma may lack the depth in that area possessed by Chelsea FC or FC Barcelona. "We have three world champions this year and other experienced players at international level, but not as many as teams like Chelsea or Barcelona, for example," said Chivu, ready to set realistic ambitions for a side sitting third in the Italian standings. "First of all we want to consolidate the work we have begun under Spalletti. Then if we reach the knockout stage we'll see what happens."

This is an abridged version of an article that appears in this week's edition of the uefa.com Magazine. To read the feature in full, click here.