Roma forward Vincenzo Montella expects to sit on the bench regularly this term after the arrival of John Carew.
The Italian netted in the 2-1 win at Udinese on Sunday but fears that the loan signing of the Norwegian from Valencia may see his first team chances restricted.
"It was important to get the season off with a win but I know what my destiny is here at Roma," said the former Samp hero.
"I’m well aware of Coach Fabio Capello’s tactical ideas for the attack. He wants a tall powerful target man and that is not me.
"I’ll just keep giving my very best in training and in games in the hope that my specific strengths can be of use to the side."
Capello has never really considered Montella as an irreplaceable figure at the Stadio Olimpico despite his prolific scoring record.
Montella certainly has the ability to make an impact as he has scored 108 goals in just 190 Serie A games.
Vincenzo Montella admits his on-going feud with Roma boss Fabio Capello shows no signs of calming down.
“I didn’t celebrate after my goal at Udine,” confessed the striker, “because I felt too angry to be happy.”
Montella has never had a good rapport with the tactician – famously swearing at him when substituted at the Stadio San Paolo a few years ago – and once again started the season from the bench.
“I would not go out for coffee with Capello, nor with anyone else from the team,” he told newspaper ‘Il Messaggero’.
“Our rapport has improved compared to a few years back and when I retire then maybe we could have dinner together, but certainly not now.”
The former Sampdoria star does admit that some of the blame for their blazing rows does fall on his shoulders.
“That day in Naples I know I should not have gone off at Capello the way I did. It was wrong and I learned from that mistake, but at that precise moment I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
Montella has been continually substituted by the Coach during their time at Roma and with the arrival of John Carew it seems as if we’ll see less of him than ever before.
“I realise the fate that awaits me this season,” he revealed, “but I’m not that bothered anymore. I have changed.”
The forward has gone through a tough time over the last year, including a messy divorce and a series of fitness problems.
“I am doing everything I can to earn a first team place, but I have stopped driving myself crazy when I think about how little I get to play.”
Worryingly, these statements sound like a goodbye to the Giallorossi fans and maybe even football for the 29-year-old.
“I have already paid my dues to Roma. The Scudetto-winning season was psychologically devastating for me and I don’t want to fall into the same trap.”
“I shall do all I can to perform for this team, then it’s que sera sera – whatever will be, will be.”
Meanwhile, Roma have offered Jonathan Zebina a new contract tying him until 2008 as his current deal expires next summer.
It is reported that the 25-year-old Frenchman is not entirely content with the new terms and the difficult rapport with the fans.