Rapture greets Roma's first XI

AS Roma's 2-0 win against S.S. Lazio in last night's Rome derby saw the Giallorossi make Italian footballing history with a record eleventh consecutive Serie A victory.

Totti tribute
Fans celebrated in the Stadio Olimpico and in the streets of the capital long into the night, while the players and coach Luciano Spalletti paid tribute to captain Francesco Totti, who is out for three months with a broken leg, wearing his No10 jersey emblazoned with the words 'Forza capitano'. Having watched the match from the bench, Totti completed a lap of honour on a stretcher cart waving a giant Giallorossi flag before joining his team-mates at the Curva Sud - the stand holding Roma's most passionate fans. Several players then climbed up to the VIP area to hug Roma president Franco Sensi.

'Nothing else matters'
"We're in the history books now, so nothing else matters," said Totti. "It was tough to watch from the sidelines, but my team-mates made everything a lot easier. This is an extra motivation to get back into action as quickly as possible." As a product of the Roma youth system, Alberto Aquilani - who scored the second goal - was particularly delighted. "I have been dreaming of scoring in a derby since the moment I started playing football and now my dream has come true," he said. "I didn't think I'd be playing today, but Spalletti gave me this chance and I'll thank him forever."

Taddei in rapture
Rodrigo Taddei, who opened the scoring in the first half, was also thrilled. "We fought from start to finish," he said. "We want to keep going and set new records with this Roma side. These are moments in life that you have to thank God for." Roma are now fourth in Serie A and aiming for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League. Totti, however, has asked his colleagues to reach the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia finals so he will be able to play a part when he recovers from injury.

Eindhoven calling
Roma face Middlesbrough FC in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup on March 15 and 23, with the final scheduled for 10 May. "We will do everything we can in order to make the final and give our captain the chance to lift a trophy with us," said defender Philippe Mexes. If they continue to play with the spirit they showed against Lazio, the Giallorossi could soon be booking their hotel rooms in Eindhoven.