The influential forward has been struggling with knee problems since the start of the season, and Spalletti says the player's injury is taking its toll on the team.

"It's clear that we're missing Totti. In the past we have relied on his quality and his numbers do the talking for him," Spalletti was quoted as saying by Calcio Italia.

"His right knee continues to cause him pain and he needs to learn to live with it. But when it's really bad he can't just ignore it."

Despite their dismal start of the season, Spalletti is confident that his team can turn things around expecially after Saturday's win over Reggina.

"We started doing things right against Reggina and I saw a lot of positives to take forward with us."

"This team is strong like last year's. We can challenge for the title along with Inter, Juventus and whoever else," added the former Sampdoria coach.