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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Totti tribute to Roma defensive heroes

/noticias.info/ AS Roma captain Francesco Totti insisted centre-backs Philippe Mexes and Juan should take most of the credit for eliminating Real Madrid CF from the UEFA Champions League first knockout round on Wednesday.

'No better pairing'
The Giallorossi ran out impressive 2-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabéu after triumphing by the same scoreline in Italy a fortnight ago, but despite registering four goals over the two legs Totti believed his colleagues at the back were critical to the outcome. "The two key players of the match were Mexes and Juan," he said. "There is no better defensive pairing. I'm happy to have them in my team because it would be very difficult for me to face them."

'We deserved it'
Roma upset many predictions to overcome the Primera División leaders, but they were handed an advantage in the Spanish capital when Pepe saw red for the hosts on 71 minutes and went on to break the deadlock through Taddei just two minutes later. Raúl González then equalised, only for Mirko Vučinić to seal Madrid's fate in added time. "I think we definitely deserved to win," said Totti. "It was a difficult match played in a hostile environment. To be able to celebrate this victory with our fans will be extremely pleasing."

Roma evolution
Roma supporters feared that the Madrid trip might end in a similar disaster to last season's 7-1 quarter-final second-leg loss at Manchester United FC, but Luciano Spalletti's charges look to have evolved since then. "We are finding the continuity we lacked and we are getting used to playing big matches," added the team's influential forward. "We want to go as far as possible. I know it will be hard but we have the qualities to do that. On a scale of nought to ten, my vote for Roma tonight is eleven."

Serie A struggle
Despite their progress in Europe, Totti also remains keen to challenge on the domestic front, where frontrunners FC Internazionale Milano enjoy a six-point lead over their rivals from the Stadio Olimpico. "We still think we can do it in the league," said the 31-year-old. "I know it's hard but what we have done tonight gives us confidence for the future, both in the league and in the [UEFA] Champions League." notas_de_prensa_archivo