Brighi bewildered by run of Roma form

AS Roma midfielder Matteo Brighi was all modesty after a stirring performance and the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over FC Girondins de Bordeaux that clinched top spot in Group A for the Giallorossi.

Purple patch
The Italian, who also struck twice on Matchday 5 in the 3-1 victory over CFR 1907 Cluj, found oceans of space six metres out to control a cross from Simone Perrotta and finish expertly on 61 minutes. Few, certainly not Brighi himself, had expected such a purple patch in front of goal in the UEFA Champions League. "To be perfectly honest I'm not used to scoring that often," said the 27-year-old. "I've just been able to take the chances that have come my way in this competition. I'm playing with some great players and they've allowed me to get into these positions and get the goals. It's not always like this though. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same luck on Saturday."

Brighi effect
After a disastrous start to their Serie A and European campaigns, Roma's turnaround in fortunes this season has taken place at about the time coach Luciano Spalletti drafted Brighi in to bulk up the midfield. "Roma haven't changed because of me – that's just coincidence," he said. "There are various reasons why we are doing better now. Players have come back from injury, the squad is in better physical shape and we are adopting a different system."

Opportunity knocks
However, the much-travelled Brighi did say that a player has to be ready when opportunity knocks. "You have to take your chance when it comes along," said Brighi, who has been loaned out at various stages of his career. "Whoever comes in must do a job for the team. Jérémy [Menez], for example, had been criticised earlier in the season but has taken his opportunity. He scored a decisive goal at the weekend and has kept his place."

Dream final
Roma now go into the hat on 19 December as group winners and, as well as playing the second leg at home, will avoid some big guns in the first knockout round. The final, as skipper Francesco Totti has been reminding Romans, will be held in the Eternal City itself. "It's too early to say if we can get to the final," added Brighi. "Francesco talks a lot about the final and it helps motivate us. It certainly would be a dream."