Totti urges Roma to focus on Serie A despite encouraging Champions League draw

Francesco Totti insists Serie A must remain Roma's "main objective" despite the prospect of a favourable Champions League draw.

AS Roma will be making its second appearance in the knockout stages in seven seasons

Roma legend Francesco Totti has warned his former club to keep its priorities straight after drawing Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League's last 16.

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Surprise winner of Group C, Roma avoided the possibility of drawing either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich for what will be its second appearance in the knockout stages in seven seasons.

Ukrainian champion Shakhtar finished second behind Manchester City in Group F, winning four of six matches to advance ahead of Napoli.

While hopeful of progression, Totti does not want the Giallorossi to lose focus on Serie A.

"Given what was there, it went well," Totti told SportMediaset of Roma's draw.

 

"Do not underestimate [Shakhtar] though, because they are technically and physically strong and play well at home.

"It will be an open game, but the further you go the harder it is.

"A lot of things can happen between now and February. We will think about the league and then in February we will think about trying to go through, which would be important for us.

"The league is the main objective for us. With respect to the Champions League, we know that the further we go the more stronger teams we will face, stronger than Roma.

"Football is about big surprises though and we will cause problems for any side we meet."

The first leg will be hosted by Shakhtar in February, with the return meeting to be played in the Italian capital in March.