Luciano Spalletti feels he was justified in denying Francesco Totti one last run out at San Siro as Roma beat AC Milan 4-1 without the retiring striker.
The 40-year-old is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the Serie A season, with Roma's new director of sport Monchi confirming as much in midweek, but he was on the bench in Milan.
Roma were already 2-0 up thanks to Edin Dzeko's first-half brace when head coach Spalletti introduced Stephan El Shaarawy and Clement Grenier as substitutes, with Mario Pasalic then scoring for Milan to prompt one last roll of the dice.
Bruno Peres took to the field instead of Totti, however, and Daniele De Rossi completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Gabriel Paletta was dismissed.
Fans of Milan and Roma had united in a chorus of chants demanding the former Italy striker make an appearance but, after leaving him unused, Spalletti told asroma.com: "He could have come on.
"It seemed to me, though, that the team had been doing a lot of chasing so I put El Shaarawy on as an attacking player as we needed to score more goals -- 2-0 was not enough.
"I've seen games where we've conceded a few at the death, and the team were looking tired.
"I don't know what to say, I'm sorry. When I put him on for the last five minutes people say I'm taking the mick and showing a lack of respect, so we need to agree on what I should be doing.
"The game was still alive and they were trying to hit us with their strikers.
"It's not up to me to manage the Totti story, I have to manage the player. Last season he made a difference at key times and finished the season well, but I just don't know what to do with him now.
"The board is watching and we need make sure we're still in the title race right to the end.
"I'm sorry, maybe next time I'll take more care with him.''
The result brings Roma to within seven points of leaders Juventus, who visit the Stadio Olimpico next Saturday. A Giallorossi win would close the gap to four points heading into the final two games.
Milan can only hope to force their way into the Europa League places over the run-in, with boss Vincenzo Montella telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: "We must all push in the same direction over these last three games to reach Europe.
"We really want to get there and we must put our seal on a season that has seen us lay some good foundations for the future.''