Time is showing no signs of halting the seemingly eternal Francesco Totti, who, despite his critics, is experiencing something of a classical revival at A.S. Roma under French manager Rudi Garcia.
Surely one of the definitive definitions of a ‘one club man’; a turbulent three seasons of managerial changes, substandard results and financial upheaval also saw Francesco Totti’s worth to A.S. Roma questioned.
A string of listless performances saw the Italian facing similar criticism to another club idol and one club man whose career is similarly in its twilight days, with several pundits and Liverpool supporters questioning whether the Merseyside club now perform better without Steven Gerrard in the starting XI.
Time may have dulled Francesco Totti’s physical prowess, however, akin to Alessandro Del Piero, time hath not dulled Francesco Totti’s technique and renowned ability to devastate opposition defences, with the Italian still able to find punishing pockets of space from which to play devastating pinpoint passes.
Totti’s resurgence has coincided with his redeployment in the false 9 position, fashioned years early by former manager Luciano Spalletti.
However, it would be an overstatement to say Totti’s redeployment as a false 9 has been the sole reason for his rebirth.
A.S. Roma’s appointment of Rudi Garcia has proven so far to be a masterstroke at reinvigorating the club.
The former Lille manager has brought some harmony to the dressing room and a semblance of defensive solidity absent during Zdenek Zeman’s reign, without entirely abandoning A.S. Roma’s attacking principles.
The additions of Gervinho, Kevin Strootman and Adam Ljajic have arguably key to A.S. Roma and Totti’s improvement under manager Rudi Garcia.
Gervinho’s reunion with Rudi Garcia, after an estimated seven million Euro transfer from Arsenal, is proving particularly fruitful for both A.S. Roma and the Ivorian.
Paired with the pace, trickery and directness of A.S. Roma’s nominal wingers, Totti’s world class ability to prod and probe opposition defences forms a deadly partnership, leaving Cagliari, Lazio and an all-conquering Juventus as the only clubs to have kept a cleansheet against A.S. Roma in a competitive football fixture.
Such has been Totti’s resurgence he has effectively earned himself one final contract at his beloved A.S. Roma, to both the pleasure and understandable jealousy of former one club man Alessandro Del Piero.
Should A.S. Roma continue their upwards trajectory in Serie A there could yet be more silverware and UEFA Champions League stories to be told.
How A.S. Roma will cope with the eventual absence of club idol Totti remains to be seen. However, not even A.S. Roma’s own eternal idol is immortal and the day will arrive where Totti tearfully hangs up his boots for good.
In manager Rudi Garcia, the future of A.S. Roma will hopefully be bright, should the Frenchman survive to herald in the post-Totti era.
Until that day arrives however, Francesco Totti is proving his talents are as eternal as the city of Rome herself.
Age cannot apparently weary him, for he is Roma’s ‘Eternity Man’.
kochie
Guest
class act - i moved to Rome when i was 11 and he was just starting out - from the curva sud of the Stadio Olimpico di Roma rang out the eternal Totti totti song. What a legend. As with others - Del boy, Maldini, all sticking with their chosen team. No following more money, bright lights of madrid etc. Complete legend. Roma, solo roma, roma e basta!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
And read them I did, just two of the many articles I studied while writing and editing this article. Particularly crazy is the fact that Totti has been playing at A.S. Roma for almost as long as I have been alive. Totti certainly could have conducted himself better at times that is for sure, but you definitely cannot say he is not passionate. He is passionate to a fault. A shame he has not won more silerware considering some of the career moves he could have made, which could have seen him win more honours. Hard to come across too many "one club men" like Totti these days, though Daniele De Rossi may achieve the feat if he keeps remaining loyal.
Arto
Guest
Great article (although I would say that being a AS Roma supporter! ;-) ) Another good article that you might like to read was posted on ESPNFC a couple of weeks back documenting how Totti has actually gotten better with age (comparing pre- & post-30yo stats)... http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/11835?cc=5739 or this one in the UK's The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/20/francesco-totti-roma-italy I must admit, I've not always liked how he's conducted himself on the pitch, but I put it down to the egotism that the top sportspeople need to have to succeed at that level, combined with being in the heat of the moment. He's a legend, not just of Italian football, but of modern European football and I'd love it if he could sign off with a CL win (although that's probably too much a of a dream to actually happen) as then he would have acheieved it all in football!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Marchisio's dip in form at Juventus will be worrying for Prandelli, however, Marchisio does seem to slowly be coming out of it. Though I am sure France are delighted with Paul Pogba getting constant game time ahead of Brazil. Given Marchisio's nature as an energetic box-to-box grafter, though he can be more than that, he will be key to helping bring energy to Italy's midfield again. In my opinion, Giuseppe Rossi's fitness will be the largest determining factor in how Italy line up at Brazil 2014. When Balotelli and El Shaarawy were both firing Italy were experimenting with a 4-3-3, but when El Shaarawy went off the boil and Rossi returned to fitness they reverted back to something broadly akin to a 4-3-1-2. Going to be an interesting few months in the lead up to the World Cup for Italy, then again when is it not given their recent liking for a scandal before a major international tournament.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
They all posses a different kind of speed, that which also defined people like Dennis Bergkamp, a blistering speed of thought. Obviously that is not the sole reason, but a sound technique and great understanding of the game paired with a quickness of thought can get someone pretty far. Although Italy always has been a bit "special" when it comes to some things, for how many other leagues have such an abundance of tactics featuring "three at the back"? (As an example)
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Yeah, interesting points Matt. I guess they could start with Pirlo who's effectively like a quarterback for them and if they needed to chase a game late could replace him with Totti in a more advanced role. I must admit I don't know enough about the current Italy squad to comment probably but they'd definitely need some grafters alongside them. Two absolute legends though for sure.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Amazing to think Andrea Pirlo could have been part of that amazing list of Italian No10s had the competition not been so stiff, leading to his conversion in to a Regista (deep-lying playmaker) while on loan at Brescia by then manager Carlo Mazzone. Another player who does not look like stopping just yet. Going to be interesting to see what Cesare Prandelli does if Totti retains this vein of form for the entire season. Unless Italy are desperately chasing a game or dominating possession they might have trouble playing both Totti and Pirlo on the same pitch at the same time due to their age. No doubt Prandelli knows that already though. However, there is no doubt Totti would offer Italy something different to turn to should they be require a touch of class further up the field to help with unlocking stubborn defences. Funny old game though, Italy will have to look elsewhere for runners in behind given their perceived history with "wingers".
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Totti's been incredible. The last of what was an amazing series of No10s for the Italian team in recent years. Baggio, Zola, Del Piero and then Totti, quite unbelievable to consider that combined talent. He's done amazingly well again this season and am sure there will be calls for him to go to Brazil. He could be a very cool head to bring on later in matches. Not sure he's always been the nicest bloke on the pitch but always admire a one club man and he's the epitomy of that, phenomnal career.
Ian
Guest
It's the food, and women, and wine. Besides that, big fan of Totti. Even had a fake Roma jersey with Totti's name on it from my 1st trip there. Not that its a rarity to have a fake Roma jersey with Totti on it.
AZ_RBB
Guest
What is it with these Italians and longevity. Maldini, Pirlo, ADP, Totti even Cannvaro was a late bloomer.