Giving Marcello the shivers

By: Kamran | March 15th, 2009

Roma PSO Exit

“Seeing how [David] Pizarro and [Francesco] Totti were limping at the end gave me goosebumps. They played with heart and courage for a wonderful romantic game in which everyone gave their all.” — Marcello Lippi

The dream of playing a Champions League final in his own city is finally over; but just as Francis Bacon famously said, there’s no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that lost by not trying.

Given that watching Il Capitano limping at the end gave the NT coach goosebumps, seeing him cover his head in his shirt was definitely nothing short of excruciating for his fans. If only the Brazilian striker had stayed on his feet while running towards Francesco’s assist, if only Mirko had not been so utterly nonplussed, never mind.

I wouldn’t mind Totti sitting back and enjoying the rest of the season from his couch. Despite the injury nightmare he has been dealing with for an year now, he has always tried “being there” for his team. He has sacrificed much more for yellow and red than mere trophies at a bigger club. The immolation of Totti’s limbs throughout the past year touches on being morbidly sombre, but this is what sets the man apart from countless footballers and athletes.

His “great dream” — as was it labeled by Chris in his follow-up post — depends as much upon him regaining his 06/07 form as it does upon De Rossi & Co. securing that fourth spot.