Rudi Garcia lauds "genius" Francesco Totti

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has hailed the "genius" of Francesco Totti after the 38-year-old inspired the Giallorossi to a 2-2 draw with local rivals Lazio on Sunday.

Garcia's side looked on course for a derby-day defeat at the Stadio Olimpico as goals from Stefano Mauri and Felipe Anderson helped Lazio into a 2-0 half-time lead.

However, Totti struck twice in the space of 16 second-half minutes to deny their city rivals and earn his side a valuable point in the race for the Scudetto.

"Totti has strokes of genius because he is a genius," the Frenchman told Sky Sport Italia. "He said beforehand that this was his game and he was right."

Roma sit second in Serie A, three points behind leaders Juventus but nine clear of third-placed Lazio.