Francesco Totti says the return of Kevin Strootman after eight months on the sidelines was the icing on the cake as Roma beat Torino 3-0 on Sunday to move back to within three points of Serie A leaders Juventus.
Netherlands midfielder Strootman made his comeback after a serious knee injury when he replaced Seydou Keita for the final seven minutes.
And in a blog entry on his official website, Totti wrote: "What mattered most was winning, and on top of that we have rediscovered a great player with Strootman coming back, and this is great news.
"Before tonight's game, we certainly weren't having an easy time of things and the results were not positive, but you get moments like this during the course of a season. What matters is that we always remember our means and our strengths."
#INSERT type:image caption:Kevin Strootman is back after eight months out of action. END#
Strootman, a target for Manchester United, told Roma's official website that he had "worked eight months for this moment."
"It was very emotional," he said. "I spoke to the coach [Rudi Garcia] after we went 3-0 up, and then I came on.
"Our team is stronger than last season and I see that also in training, which is now harder for everybody. We want to win everything."
Strootman's return gives coach Garcia an extra option in midfield, where former Barcelona player Seydou Keita also appears to have settled in well, while Radja Nainggolan has become one of the first names on Garcia's teamsheet.