Roma and Totti eye last 16 place

MILAN, Dec 4 (Reuters) AS Roma know a draw against Valencia tomorrow will be enough to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League and with captain Francesco Totti looking close to his best, the Italians are in confident mood.

Totti, who has struggled to refind his form after ankle surgery last season, scored twice from the penalty spot in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atalanta in Serie A which ensured Luciano Spalletti's side remain second.

''I'm trying to get back in the best condition I can and, like the rest of the lads, I want Roma to go as far as they can this season,'' said Totti after the win.

Spalletti has used Totti as an out-and-out striker this season and the Roma captain has responded with nine goals and a reminder to his critics.

''I remember hearing a few people saying a while ago that I was finished,'' said Totti, who will likely play as a lone striker against the Spaniards who have already qualified from Group D.

Spalletti has adopted a flexible formation with Brazilians Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei operating as wide men in support of Totti while Simone Perrotta is excelling in an attacking midfield role behind Totti.

Although the Roma coach has Vincenzo Montella and Mirko Vucinic as options in attack he is likely to stick with 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.

In the Champions League, 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,'' Sanchez Flores said.

Valencia will be without suspended centre 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.

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

Probable teams: Roma: 32-Doni; 2-Christian Panucci, 5-Phillipe Mexes, 13-Cristian Chivu, 22-Max Tonetto; 30-Mancini, 16-Daniele De Rossi, 7-David Pizarro, 20-Simone Perrotta, 11-Rodrigo Taddei; 10-Francesco Totti.

Valencia: 25-Ludovic Butelle; 23-Curro Torres, 17-David Navarro, 20-Raul Albiol, 26-David Cerrajeria; 15-Joaquin, 8-Ruben Baraja, 31-Miguel Pallardo, 10-Miguel Angel Angulo; 12-Francesco Tavano, 21-David Silva.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria) REUTERS PM BS0911