Rome, November 26 - When Roma continued their record-breaking start to the Serie A season even after Francesco Totti suffered a hamstring injury last month, it was tempting to conclude that coach Rudi Garcia had built a side who were not dependant on their inspirational captain.

Things look different now that Roma have surrendered the Serie A top spot to champions Juventus after dropping points with three consecutive draws.

Roma scored no fewer than two goals in all of their first seven league matches of the season, as they worked towards to a new record start of 10 consecutive wins.

They beat Napoli 2-0 in the match in which Totti got injured.

But they have not scored more than one goal in any of their games since - 1-0 wins over Udinese and Chievo, 1-1 ties with Torino and Sassuolo and Monday's goalless draw at home to Cagliari.

In short, the 37-year-old former Italy international might no longer be in his prime, but his influence on the team, the only senior side he has ever played for, is huge.

The three goals he scored before the injury had consolidated his position as Serie A's second-top scorer of all-time with 230.

But in addition to his coolness in the area, he also has the ability to conjure something special to open defences in games like Monday's, when the opposition are sitting tight and playing for a draw.

Roma's change in form is probably not just down to Totti's absence though.

Garcia's team also seem to lack the physical freshness they had early in the season, especially after this month's international break, which saw many squad members busy with their national teams.

But there also are plenty of positives for the French coach, who has transformed Roma into title contenders after several years of disappointment since arriving in the close season.

His team continue to create a lot, with 47 shots in the three games they drew, and a solid defence has enabled them to maintain an unbeaten record.

And Garcia should have Totti, a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team, back early next month.

"We miss his effectiveness a lot," Garcia said of Totti after the Cagliari draw.

"I want him to be 100% when he comes back".

Roma had a five-point lead after setting a new record for the best start to a Serie A campaign by winning their first 10 games.

But Juve have taken full advantage of the points dropped by Roma since with a run of five consecutive wins.

Juve have 34 points from 13 games, one point more than Roma, after they beat Livorno 2-0 away on Sunday with second-half goals by Spaniard Fernando Llorente and Argentine Carlos Tevez. Third-place Napoli are six points off the pace after losing 1-0 at home to Parma at the weekend.

Inter Milan missed the chance to pull level with Napoli when they were held 1-1 at struggling Bologna. They are fourth with 26 points.

AC Milan are 13th with 14 points, 20 behind Juve, after their poor form continued with a 1-1 home draw with Genoa.