Totti reaches milestone as Roma draw at Fiorentina

ROME - Francesco Totti scored a brace to earn Roma a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina and in doing so achieved a personal milestone by becoming only the sixth person to reach 200 goals in Serie A.

Totti’s 200th strike came from the penalty spot but he subsequently reached 201 when completing a second successive brace, following his two goals in the victory over bitter city rivals Lazio last weekend. It was the 37th time in his career, spent exclusively at Roma, that the 34-year-old has managed to score two goals in a game . And yet it was the pair of strikes he managed last week that gave him the most joy.

“My best goals were the ones I scored against Lazio,” he said in a statement sure to delight Roma’s fans. “I’m proud of what I’ve done but I’m not stopping there. I always try to do my best.”

It’s been a remarkable return to form for Totti since new coach Vincenzo Montella took over from Claudio Ranieri. Totti spent much of the early part of the season warming the bench as Ranieri often preferred Marco Borriello. Totti has been rejuvenated since his former teammate and strike-partner Montella has taken over.

AFP