Totti absent for Valencia showdown

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MILAN, Italy -- Roma captain Francesco Totti has been ruled out of Tuesday's crucial Champions League tie against Valencia -- a match in which the Italian side need a point to clinch qualification into the last 16.

Totti, who has struggled to regain his form after ankle surgery last season, scored twice from the penalty spot in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atalanta in Serie A.

"He is not in the squad because he has a sore ankle from a knock he picked up," said coach Luciano Spalletti -- who added that Totti was expected to be fit for this weekend's Rome derby against fierce rivals Lazio.

Totti's absence is likely to mean a start for Vincenzo Montella in attack against a Valencia side who have already assured qualification from Group D.

Spalletti has used Totti as an out-and-out striker this season at the expense of Montella who has recently been linked with a move away from the club.

Rather than pair Montella with Totti, Spalletti has adopted a flexible formation with Brazilians Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei operating as wide men in support of Totti while Simone Perrotta has excelled in an attacking midfield role behind Totti.

The formula that has worked well so far with Roma hitting 32 goals in 14 Serie A matches, the best attacking record in the Italian top flight.

But Perrotta faces a fight to get fit in time for Tuesday's game after picking up an ankle injury over the weekend.

"We hope he will recover but there is a doubt," said Spalletti who has Serbian striker Mirko Vucinic as an alternative should Perrotta be ruled out.

Roma have a two-point lead over third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine and a point would be enough for Spalletti's team given they have the best of the head-to-head games with Donetsk.

Valencia, who will have several players missing with injury and suspension, beat Roma 2-1 in Spain but have little to play for as they are already assured of top spot.

However, Quique Sanchez Flores's side are in freefall in the Primera Liga after losing 2-0 away to Recreativo Huelva on Saturday, their third straight league defeat.

"We are going through difficult times but must continue to look forward," said Sanchez Flores. Valencia will be without suspended center-back Roberto Ayala and a host of first team regulars.

Strikers David Villa and Fernando Morientes, midfielders Mario Regueiro, Edu, Jaime Gavilan, and David Albelda, and defenders Miguel, Carlos Marchena, Emiliano Moretti and Asier del Horno are all carrying injuries.

The team's misfortunes continued on Monday when winger Miguel Angel Angulo was forced to withdraw from the squad after the sudden death of his mother.

Ruben Baraja and youth team member Miguel Pallardo both missed Saturday's game through illness but are expected to return for the trip to Rome.

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