Perrotta: Totti Is Still A Champion

Current Serie A champions Inter Milan got the better of Roma in the Italian Supercup last night, defeating the Giallorossi 6-5 on penalties at the San Siro after a 2-2 draw in normal time. Italy international Simone Perrotta was hooked in the second half to allow injury-plagued captain Francesco Totti his first appearance since April.Considering the disappointing loss, Perrotta said, “In the first half we were out of the game. Inter were doing well; they're a different team compared to last season.” The 30-year-old midfielder went on to say, “We didn't understand their style of play in the first half, but the second half went better.“There are small problems to resolve, but the new arrivals will help us with that,” “When the league starts on Sunday, we must play like we did in the second half.” Making his comeback from injury, talisman Totti uncharacteristically smashed his sport-kick off the woodwork during the tense shoot-out.When asked about Totti's missed penalty, Perrotta defended his captain. He said, “If he took it then he must have felt like he would convert it. He played thirty minutes and showed that he has recovered.” The midfielder insists that Totti's reputation is untarnished despite the botched penalty, adding, “Anyone can miss. It's a pity, but he is a great champion and he will remain that way even after this mistake.”