Totti says he would have relished playing under Gasperini at Roma

Totti: Gasperini’s training would be no problem after Zeman

Francesco Totti says he would have liked to play under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, and believes his past experience with Zdenek Zeman’s demanding training would have prepared him for the coach’s intense methods.

“I’d have liked it. I know he’s a very tough coach who makes his players work hard. After Zeman, I think I can do anything,” Totti said in an interview with Sky Sport at the launch of his new book, Oltre.

The book covers the former Roma captain’s life since he retired in 2017. Totti described the years since leaving football as “another mini-career”, with its own complicated moments. He also spoke about how difficult it was to end his playing career: “I hoped that day would never come, but it’s part of the job. Turning the page isn’t easy, especially when it happens suddenly and you don’t know what the future holds.”

Former captain backs Roma in the race

Totti also commented on the competition at the top of the table. Roma are third, two points behind Inter and Lazio, following a 2-0 victory over Genoa on Saturday. He called it “a great race” and said the city deserved to be part of the contest, adding: “I hope Roma go the furthest.”

Asked whether he would give a copy of Oltre to Gasperini or Roma vice-president Ryan Friedkin, Totti joked that he would give one to both: one in Italian and the other in English.