Tonetto on edge for Valencia visit
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Article summary
Defender Max Tonetto expects Valencia CF to be in unforgiving mood as AS Roma welcome the Spanish side in search of a point and a place in the last 16.
Article body
AS Roma did not make a huge splash in the transfer market this summer, but one low-key signing has quietly helped lift the team to second place in Serie A and the verge of a place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Quick to settle
Max Tonetto moved to Rome after spells at UC Sampdoria and US Lecce to replace AS Monaco FC-bound Leandro Cufré and has settled swiftly, impressing with his poise and ability to bring the ball forward. The 31-year-old, who has switched to left-back from the midfield position he occupied for the majority of his former clubs, played a key role in Roma's first goal of this season's UEFA Champions League campaign, creating the opener for Rodrigo Taddei in the 4-0 Matchday 1 defeat of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, and is now keen for his side to finish the job against Valencia CF.
Valencia threat
The Italian team need a point at the Stadio Olimpico to book their place in the last 16 but, although are Valencia are already secure as Group D winners, Tonetto does not believe that will mean an easier evening for the Giallorossi, who will be without inspirational captain Francesco Totti due to an ankle injury. "With no pressure on them, Valencia will be calmer, and possibly even more dangerous," he said. "This will be a difficult game and it would be a huge mistake to play for a point. Francesco is a very important player for us and has been in fantastic form recently so we're sorry he cannot play in this crucial game but we must only think of earning the result we need even without him."
'Emotional experience'
Tonetto sat out the Matchday 5 defeat at Shakhtar and had missed Roma's two previous league games before returning for Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Atalanta BC. "I had to rest for a couple of weeks with a problem with my left thigh, but now I'm fine," he explained. "I just need to train and play on regular basis to get back to my best." Despite his outwardly calm demeanour, Tonetto said playing in European football's premier club competition is an "emotional experience". "The experience of playing in the Champions League is special," he added. "To hear the UEFA Champions League anthem in real life, after only listening to it on television, has a real effect on you."
