Garcia hails 'illuminating' Totti after Roma win

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has hailed the "illuminating" performance of Francesco Totti after his match-winning return against Udinese.

Garcia was able to deploy both Totti and Mattia Destro in the same starting XI for the first time since a 4-0 win over Catania in December. The attacking pair both made an early impact, with a goal each prior to the half-hour mark in the Italian capital.

"We scored three goals and had the chance to score another two or three," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We created a lot in attack, so I am happy with the performance of these players. We knew the captain (Totti) couldn't play a full 90 minutes but he was truly illuminating tonight.

"I am above all happy with the way the team played, as remember we were without Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Douglas Maicon."

Despite Totti and Destro impressing as a partnership, Garcia was concerned that his second-placed side in Serie A could not win more comfortably with an early lead.

"We did many great things but also gave away too many chances. We hadn't suffered like this at home for 15 games," he added.

"They say football is the art of making life difficult for yourself but we got the three points and that was the important thing.

"They never gave up and usually after going 3-1 up the game is finished. It is a reminder we need to be more concentrated and determined all the way to the final whistle."