Florenzi: Totti's winner was like the ending of a Hollywood film

Alessandro Florenzi described Francesco Totti’s match-winning turn in Roma’s late 3-2 win over Torino on Wednesday as “like the ending to a fantastic film.”

Roma were 2-1 down at the Stadio Olimpico when Totti was introduced to the game by coach Luciano Spalletti. And it did not take long for the No. 10 to make an impact – Totti scoring after just 22 seconds to even up the scoreline, before coolly firing home from the penalty spot minutes later to wrap up the three points.

The result means Roma remain just five points behind Napoli – whom they face on Monday – in the race for second in Serie A, while results elsewhere mean they now have a seven-point advantage over fourth with four games remaining.

"It really did seem like the ending to a fantastic film, I'm speechless,” Florenzi said. “Aside from Francesco's unbelievable performance off the bench, the team refused to give up when it was 2-1.

“I want to say thank you to Francesco and the other nine guys who came off that pitch as shattered as I am now."

It looked like it was going to be a deeply frustrating night for the home side, especially after Josef Martinez slid home to restore Torino’s lead in the second half.

Florenzi acknowledged that the visitors had outplayed Roma for parts of the game, but believes his side showed great character to come from behind twice to win.

"I'd say the credit goes to them,” he said. “We found it difficult to get a hold of them when they dropped so deep, but in the second half we got right up in their faces because we knew we were better than them and we started playing some good stuff to get ourselves back in the game.

“There was a breakdown in communication at the back but then Francesco came on and I reckon that must have been one of the fastest goals in history."

That first strike set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, with the Giallorossi captain then handed an 88th minute chance to win the match from the penalty spot.

"I don't know if I was caught on camera, but I had my hands together praying to God that he'd put it in,” Florenzi said. “Let's enjoy this evening, we gained three points on Inter without losing ground on Napoli. Italian football is in for a wonderful spectacle on Monday.

“We all know Francesco can have his say in the final quarter of an hour – he only needed three minutes today. I'm not the one who makes the call: When the gaffer chooses to throw him on, he has to do what he's capable of, like the superstar he is.

"I was taught to give it my all regardless of how long is left. Hard work pays off and that's what we're seeing with Totti."