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Roma coach Rudi Garcia has defended his decision to substitute Francesco Totti during his side's 3-0 win over Torino on Sunday, saying he needs to preserve his captain. Totti did not take kindly to being replaced with 20 minutes of the game remaining. The 38-year-old pushed Garcia's consolatory hand off his shoulder and headed straight for the dressing room rather than taking his place on the bench. His replacement Mattia Destro netted the third goal of the game, but Totti had clearly hoped that would have been him as he still waits for his third goal of the season. However, Garcia suggested he had done Totti a favour by removing him early to keep him fresh for future games as the Giallorossi try to catch Juventus in the Serie A title race. "Francesco Totti is my best player and I don't want him to get injured," Garcia told Sky Sport Italia. "When that happened last season, we suffered. For me, it was a good choice to substitute him because once he has missed our next game against Atalanta due to suspension, I will have him available for the next six games in a row. "We spoke about it in the dressing room and it's all good." Rotating his options up front has enabled Garcia to keep his attack sharp, even if it has already led to Destro complaining about his lack of opportunities. Juan Iturbe, Gervinho, Alessandro Florenzi and Adem Ljajic have also alternated in forward positions this season. "We are 100 percent fit and I've always had total faith in all of my lads," added Garcia. "Roma are in top shape." Totti has featured in eight of Roma's 11 Serie A games this season and played in three of their Champions League matches, missing only the 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich when he was rested by Garcia. The striker's goal against Manchester City made him the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Champions League and, at 38, Garcia is trying to get the most out of Totti while ensuring at the same time he is given the necessary time to recuperate. He now has three weeks to do that with the international break and his suspension against Atalanta meaning his next appearance could come in the Champions League against CSKA Moscow in Russia on Nov. 25.
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