To many, Totti's substitutions may not appear to be a big deal, but, as on both occasions, substitute Hidetoshi Nakata granted the Giallorossi an unexpected draw and a win, doubts have arisen as to Totti's condition and whether he should still be part of the team's starting XI.
After a fantastic Euro 2000 tournament, Totti was crowned Italy's best footballer, displaying the skill and talent that was missing since Roberto Baggio's years. On the wave of such achievement, Roma's skipper, along with Argentine wonder Gabriel Batistuta, were convincingly leading their side to the top of the Serie A, where they have been since the beginning of the 2000-01 campaign.
During the first 15 games of the season, Totti netted nine goals out of his total 43 efforts on goal - the most among all the attacking midfielders in Serie A. In the second part of the season however, Roma's number 10 has not managed to keep up his previous standards, finding his way to goal on just two occasions out of 30 attempts.
However, such a decrease in figures did not alarm Italy's playmaker, as he often stated that his job was to make the forwards score and that his goals were just added bonuses. And whereas no one can argue with that, his deteriorating passing figures do make one wonder.
Since the clocks have changed, Totti has not supplied a single assist and his number of successful touches has dropped from 616 to 568. Furthermore, not only has he curled in half the amount of crosses that he did in the first half of the season, but his crossing accuracy has also dropped from 21% to 18%.
Fortunately for the team, but not so much for his skipper, Totti's poor form has coincided with the 'explosion' of Nakata and, most of all, Vincenzo Montella, who's goals have kept Roma five points clear of arch-rivals Lazio. In light of this, and the arrival in the summer of baby-wonder Antonio Cassano, Totti's position in the Giallorossi does not appear untouchable anymore.
It is therefore not surprising that when the Italian international asked coach Fabio Capello why HE should be taken off, Capello telegraphed back: "Because I need to win," leaving his cutting reply open to interpretation.
Whilst the media and the Roma fans are desperately trying to understand what could have caused their idol to drop his performances so much, Totti has confessed that he is not bothered as long as Roma win the title. "I will do anything to bring the Scudetto to Trigoria - he said - even being substituted every game".
Such a prospect is certainly not ideal for the Roman talent although his Opta stats suggest otherwise. Although no-one could ever question Totti's skill and touch, the fact that he has embarked on less dribbles and runs is a signal that Il Pupone has not been himself lately.
According to sources close to the player, a neglected ankle injury and the split from long-term girlfriend Valeria Mazza are the main causes of the player's low condition. Nevertheless, despite the evident lack of form, Totti can no doubt look back over a great season. A campaign that could become brilliant in just a month's time and go down in history at Roma's headquarters.
