Beckham7
01-04-2002, 05:09 PM
Roma striker Vincenzo Montella is confident of making the Italy squad for the World Cup after recovering from a knee operation. "I don't want to sound presumptuous, but I think I have a great chance of going to Japan and South Korea," he said.
Montella is back in training after three months on the sidelines and admitted he is desperate to get back in action. "I am really happy because I feel like a footballer again," explained the 27-year-old.
"But I know that I still have plenty of work to do before I am at the same physical level as my team-mates. When I started training again, I was really impressed by the speed of the other players and I am certainly not there yet."
Montella knows there is plenty of football to be played for Roma before next summer's World Cup, but cannot help casting an eye forward towards the finals.
"This is really a vital year," he continued. "Roma have got to try to win the Champions' League and the Italian championship – and I think that we have the squad to achieve both goals. Then there is the World Cup.
"From a personal point of view, I would love to be involved and I have to thank Giovanni Trapattoni for supporting me throughout this difficult time.
"I have to show Trap that I am the same Montella now as the one who got injured – and I'm confident of doing that."
The forward needs a final medical check in Switzerland before he can consider a comeback, but is optimistic.
"I hope the doctor will let me come back to Rome immediately so I can get back on the pitch right away," he said. "But of course the final decision is up to coach Fabio Capello.
"I am happy to accept whatever he thinks is best. Even if he wants me to play for the Roma youth team, I will do it."
Montella is back in training after three months on the sidelines and admitted he is desperate to get back in action. "I am really happy because I feel like a footballer again," explained the 27-year-old.
"But I know that I still have plenty of work to do before I am at the same physical level as my team-mates. When I started training again, I was really impressed by the speed of the other players and I am certainly not there yet."
Montella knows there is plenty of football to be played for Roma before next summer's World Cup, but cannot help casting an eye forward towards the finals.
"This is really a vital year," he continued. "Roma have got to try to win the Champions' League and the Italian championship – and I think that we have the squad to achieve both goals. Then there is the World Cup.
"From a personal point of view, I would love to be involved and I have to thank Giovanni Trapattoni for supporting me throughout this difficult time.
"I have to show Trap that I am the same Montella now as the one who got injured – and I'm confident of doing that."
The forward needs a final medical check in Switzerland before he can consider a comeback, but is optimistic.
"I hope the doctor will let me come back to Rome immediately so I can get back on the pitch right away," he said. "But of course the final decision is up to coach Fabio Capello.
"I am happy to accept whatever he thinks is best. Even if he wants me to play for the Roma youth team, I will do it."