Totti: Team spirit Italy's secret weapon
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Italy hero Francesco Totti says their team spirit has lifted them to tomorrow night's World Cup final.
"The key to reaching the Final has been the squad," he told the Diadora website. "In this sense, I think we are already world champions."
Italy have used every single outfield player in their party so far during Germany 2006 and 10 different men have managed to get on the scoresheet, proving Totti's point.
"We've had problems from the start of the competition in terms of injuries and suspensions," he continued.
"But nobody had the impression that the person brought into the team would do any worse than the teammate he replaced."
Totti used the Azzurri's problems at centre-back during the tournament and other incidents to underline their strength in depth.
"The fact is that if you play for your country, especially at a World Cup, then you are an excellent player, a champion," he argued.
"[Alessandro] Nesta got injured and [Marco] Materazzi made sure he wasn't missed. Then [Andrea] Barzagli did really well when he came in for Marco during his ban against the Ukraine.
"In midfield, [Daniele] De Rossi was suspended and [Gennaro] Gattuso has put in some great performances as a result.
"The strikers, who have had to deal with a rotation policy, have done their job when they have been called upon.
"However it finishes on Sunday, all 23 players have played a part in the Finals with no exceptions. Even [goalkeepers Angelo] Peruzzi and [Marco] Amelia who haven't played."
"The key to reaching the Final has been the squad," he told the Diadora website. "In this sense, I think we are already world champions."
Italy have used every single outfield player in their party so far during Germany 2006 and 10 different men have managed to get on the scoresheet, proving Totti's point.
"We've had problems from the start of the competition in terms of injuries and suspensions," he continued.
"But nobody had the impression that the person brought into the team would do any worse than the teammate he replaced."
Totti used the Azzurri's problems at centre-back during the tournament and other incidents to underline their strength in depth.
"The fact is that if you play for your country, especially at a World Cup, then you are an excellent player, a champion," he argued.
"[Alessandro] Nesta got injured and [Marco] Materazzi made sure he wasn't missed. Then [Andrea] Barzagli did really well when he came in for Marco during his ban against the Ukraine.
"In midfield, [Daniele] De Rossi was suspended and [Gennaro] Gattuso has put in some great performances as a result.
"The strikers, who have had to deal with a rotation policy, have done their job when they have been called upon.
"However it finishes on Sunday, all 23 players have played a part in the Finals with no exceptions. Even [goalkeepers Angelo] Peruzzi and [Marco] Amelia who haven't played."
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