Francesco Totti (Part 2)

During Roma's tumultuous 2004–05 season, characterized by managerial changes and player departures, Francesco Totti maintained his remarkable form, scoring twelve goals in Serie A and 15 in all competitions. Despite Roma's struggles, Totti achieved several significant milestones during this period.
One notable achievement came on 3 October 2004, when Totti scored his 100th Serie A goal from a free kick in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Inter Milan. This milestone underscored his proficiency as a goalscorer and his mastery of set-piece situations. Just two months later, on 19 December 2004, Totti etched his name in Roma's history books by becoming the club's all-time leading scorer in Serie A, surpassing Roberto Pruzzo's previous record with his 107th league goal against Parma.
Despite Roma's eighth-place finish in the league, Totti played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the final of the 2005 Coppa Italia, where they ultimately lost to Inter. Totti's leadership and offensive contributions remained vital for Roma even during challenging times, further solidifying his status as a club legend.
The arrival of Luciano Spalletti as Roma's coach for the 2005–06 season ushered in a new era for Totti, as he was deployed in a more offensive role as a lone striker in Spalletti's innovative 4–2–3–1 formation. Dubbed the "false 9," Totti showcased his versatility and creativity by dropping deep to orchestrate attacks while still contributing significantly to the team's goal-scoring efforts. Despite suffering a season-ending injury in February 2006, Totti's impact was profound, as he led Roma to victory in the Coppa Italia final against Inter, playing a crucial role in the club's triumph.


The subsequent seasons saw Totti continue to excel, with notable highlights including reaching his 200th goal for Roma and breaking the club's appearance record previously held by Giacomo Losi. Totti's enduring influence and contributions on and off the pitch solidified his legacy as one of Roma's greatest players and a beloved figure among the club's supporters.
Francesco Totti's tenure at AS Roma during the late 2000s and early 2010s was marked by both personal achievements and team successes, despite managerial changes and challenges.


Under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, Totti showcased his enduring talent and leadership on the pitch. In the 2008–09 season, he delivered standout performances in the UEFA Europa League, scoring two hat-tricks, and continued to excel in Serie A, contributing crucial goals and assists. Despite Roma's struggles, Totti's commitment to the club was unwavering, as evidenced by his decision to sign a new five-year contract, solidifying his status as a Roma legend.
The subsequent season saw Roma mount a strong challenge for the Serie A title, with Totti playing a pivotal role in the team's success. Despite facing injury setbacks, he demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess and surpassed several legendary strikers in Serie A's all-time scoring records. Totti's influence extended beyond his on-field contributions, as he captained Roma to the Coppa Italia final, although the team fell short against Inter Milan.


The arrival of Claudio Ranieri brought new challenges for Totti, as the manager's defensive tactics and squad rotation tested the captain's patience. Despite facing limited playing time and clashes with the manager, Totti remained determined to make an impact whenever called upon. Following Ranieri's resignation, Totti's former teammate Vincenzo Montella took charge, leading to a resurgence in Totti's form and goal-scoring exploits.
Totti's remarkable achievements during this period, including reaching 200 Serie A goals and surpassing Roberto Baggio's goal-scoring tally, underscored his enduring brilliance and commitment to Roma. As the club underwent ownership changes and managerial transitions, Totti remained a constant presence, continuing to inspire both teammates and fans with his passion and dedication to the Roma cause.


The 2011–12 season proved to be a challenging yet significant period for Francesco Totti at AS Roma, as he navigated through injuries and adapted to a new managerial regime under Luis Enrique.
Initially receiving limited starts under Enrique due to the team's struggles, Totti faced adversity early in the season when he sustained an injury against Atalanta in October 2011. However, he demonstrated resilience by returning to action in November, providing a much-needed boost to Roma's lineup. As Totti gradually regained form, he embraced a creative role as an attacking midfielder, showcasing his versatility and playmaking abilities.


Throughout the season, Totti showcased his vision and passing prowess, setting up crucial goals for his teammates, including Daniele De Rossi and Dani Osvaldo. Despite playing in a deeper position on the pitch, Totti remained influential, using his experience and leadership to guide Roma's attacks and provide stability in midfield.
Totti's milestone moments during the season included scoring his first goals against Chievo and setting a new Serie A record for the most goals scored by a player for a single club with his brace against Cesena. Despite occasional goal droughts, Totti continued to contribute to Roma's cause, scoring important goals against teams like Udinese and Fiorentina.


One of the highlights of the season was Totti's 500th match in Serie A, where he marked the occasion with a memorable brace against Catania, further solidifying his status as a Roma legend.Overall, the 2011–12 season showcased Totti's enduring quality and influence on the pitch, as he continued to excel despite the challenges posed by injuries and managerial changes, reaffirming his status as one of Roma's greatest ever players.
The appointment of Zdeněk Zeman marked a reunion between Francesco Totti and his former manager, with Roma aiming to bounce back from a disappointing season. Zeman deployed Totti in a free role as a left forward or winger in his preferred 4–3–3 formation, reminiscent of their previous collaboration 13 years prior. This allowed Totti the flexibility to drop deep into midfield to press opponents and orchestrate attacks from the left wing.


Totti's impact was immediately felt, as he provided two assists in Roma's victory over Inter Milan, earning praise from the media despite approaching his 36th birthday. He continued to make history by surpassing Giuseppe Meazza and José Altafini's joint-record to become the third-highest scorer in Serie A history with 217 goals after scoring against Genoa.
Despite the managerial change that saw Zeman sacked and Aurelio Andreazzoli taking charge, Totti remained a key figure for Roma. He showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting crucial goals against the likes of Juventus and Parma, breaking Gunnar Nordahl's long-standing record to become Serie A's second-top scorer. Totti's influence extended beyond scoring goals, as he also provided vital assists, finishing the season with 12 goals and 12 assists from 34 appearances in Serie A.

References

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10. ^ Imparato, Gaetano (19 July 1997). "La Roma ha scelto un nuovo Principe: Totti". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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