Did Roma's 2-1 home defeat to Palermo seem familiar? For once this season, it's actually not a disappointing loss, though it does recall the run of dire results seen after Christmas, when the side couldn't seem to get more than a rare win before they came together to defeat Lazio and ensure second place.
Instead, it harkens back to the series of three losses that came about the past season, after manager Rudi Garcia and his men secured second, featuring a side of second-string players and youth options as the coach and director of football Walter Sabatini look to spread around playing time and evaluate where the squad needs to be addressed this offseason.
One return that was most welcome was the long haired, lanky body of Federico Balzaretti, who notched his first appearance in more than 500 days, as he has struggled continuously to overcome injury. The 33-year-old Italian's contract is up at the end of the month, and it seems doubtful he'll be offered anything except possibly a one-year deal to serve as depth and a locker room presence. In a season in which injuries robbed the Giallorossi of so much, it was fitting to see a body return on its final day.
Equally fitting was the lone goal from Roma, a deft finish from Francesco Totti. It was his 300th for the club; yet another milestone, yet another record, yet another historical landmark. Words are in short supply to describe just what the Roman means to this club and calico as a whole; at 37, his best years are certainly behind him, but many of the standout moments of the season saw Er Pupone at the heart of the action.
There he was at the Ethiad to deftly chip the ball over Joe Hart; there he was at the Olimpico to score a second-half double over Lazio and take a selfie to tie the Derby; there he was away in Russia to score a vital free-kick seconds from securing knockout Champions League matches. He has been here and there and done it all; if Father Time was supposed to quietly take him in years ago, no one alerted the man wearing the number 10. He hasn't realized it just yet.
Some of the other numbers that featured against Palermo, meanwhile, will give Sabatini much to consider. Salih Ucan is a bright talent today, but he's been a bright talent since he was brought into the side July 7, 2014. He made just four appearances all season, with two of those coming off the bench. If he, like Leandro Paredes, is really meant to have much of a future in this club, a loan spell would benefit them massively. Young talents on the bench hardly make any progress.
Some of the older depth failed to shine as well. Nicolas Spolli made his first and probably only appearance since coming over in January and conceded a penalty with a handball deep in the first half. The centre-back issue at the club is well-documented at this point; if the Argentine were trying to make an argument that he is better than Davide Astori in the battle to be signed outright, making the same exact individual error that critics are fond of pointing to the Italian for is hardly going to be a convincing argument.
With the team behind until the last five minutes, it was no surprise Garcia put on some of the veterans. Radja Nainggolan was the first to enter the pitch after Paredes' injury and should, with any luck, be the club's first real signing of the summer. Unlike the result Sunday, making the Belgian permanent would allow Roma to put their best foot forward in preparations for next season.