No place like Rome, says ambassador Conti
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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Bruno Conti, the 2009 UEFA Champions League final ambassador, believes the Italian capital will serve up a "very emotional" occasion when FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC lock horns at the Stadio Olimpico.
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Bruno Conti, the ambassador for the 2009 UEFA Champions League final, believes Rome and the Stadio Olimpico will provide the perfect setting for Wednesday's meeting between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC.
Emotional night
Conti, who spent virtually all of his illustrious playing career in an AS Roma shirt, believes the Italian capital has something unique to offer. "Rome is special, the atmosphere is special. I think that this final will be very emotional," he told uefa.com. "Rome will welcome all fans of sport in the right way." Like Conti, who helped Italy win the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Rome is no stranger to major finals. The Giallorossi winger was himself a losing finalist on home soil at the Olimpico in 1984, missing from the spot as Liverpool FC lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup after a penalty shoot-out.
Bitter taste
The intervening years have not dimmed Conti's memories of that night, decided in large part by Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar's 'spaghetti legs' antics during the spot-kicks. "It was a sad night," recalled the 54-year-old. "We and Liverpool both played well, so to lose it that way at the end left a very bitter taste. In the dressing room afterwards, nobody spoke; there was just this huge feeling of disappointment. That said, it was a very emotional moment too because of the fantastic atmosphere in the stadium."
Roma regret
The only regret Conti has as he prepares for this season's showpiece is that Roma, whom he now serves as a technical director, will not be there vying for the trophy. Beaten by Arsenal FC in a penalty shoot-out at the Olimpico in the last 16, Conti again had to be philosophical about events from the 11-metre mark: "You know that you can end up with the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, as happened this year against Arsenal. The players were well-prepared, but you can always miss a penalty." At least, for Conti, there is the consolation on a personal level of having a role to play when the footballing world turns its eyes to Italy. "It means a lot to me," he said. "It's a great honour and I'm grateful to the city of Rome for choosing me to be the ambassador for the final."
