Who were they resting? Totti? I'd hope Destro as CF is better than 38 year old Totti as CF? If they think they're going to win the Scudetto or do well in Europe with Totti as their main CF, well 
Gervinho and Iturbe, with Florenzi and Ljajic instead? Iturbe and Ljajic are about equivalent. Gervinho > Florenzi. So I'd suggest, Gervinho is really the only player on the bench that would have made their team better. They had their first choice back 4, and first choice MF on, Destro should be their first choice CF, and they barely created anything, 7 attempts. They were outplayed for the large part of the match by Empoli and Manolas should have given up a penalty for his foul in the box. If this is AS Roma when dealing with squad rotation for Europe against a just promoted side, they're in for a very long season.
Edit.
I think people are underestimating the competitive advantage Roma received last season by not having any European football to worry about. Much like us in our undefeated season, when we won over a Milan team we had no business winning the scudetto over. It was largely because of our lack of European football. Last year they could pour all their energy into Serie A, and they still finished 17 points behind us. Aside from Iturbe potentially strengthening their starting XI (if he improves on his lacklustre performances so far), they are, arguably, weaker with their starting XI this year, as opposed to last, with Totti a year older and poorer, and Manolas in place of Benatia. And now they have to play CL midweek, and without Strootman to rotate with De Rossi, Pjanic, and Radja for a few months. They improved their bench, yes, with Ucan and the like, but neglected their biggest area of need which is the attacking line, and they lost not only their best defender, but the best defender in Serie A, and replaced him with Manolas, an underachiever thus far in his career. Roma will struggle IMO.
Gervinho and Iturbe, with Florenzi and Ljajic instead? Iturbe and Ljajic are about equivalent. Gervinho > Florenzi. So I'd suggest, Gervinho is really the only player on the bench that would have made their team better. They had their first choice back 4, and first choice MF on, Destro should be their first choice CF, and they barely created anything, 7 attempts. They were outplayed for the large part of the match by Empoli and Manolas should have given up a penalty for his foul in the box. If this is AS Roma when dealing with squad rotation for Europe against a just promoted side, they're in for a very long season.
Edit.
I think people are underestimating the competitive advantage Roma received last season by not having any European football to worry about. Much like us in our undefeated season, when we won over a Milan team we had no business winning the scudetto over. It was largely because of our lack of European football. Last year they could pour all their energy into Serie A, and they still finished 17 points behind us. Aside from Iturbe potentially strengthening their starting XI (if he improves on his lacklustre performances so far), they are, arguably, weaker with their starting XI this year, as opposed to last, with Totti a year older and poorer, and Manolas in place of Benatia. And now they have to play CL midweek, and without Strootman to rotate with De Rossi, Pjanic, and Radja for a few months. They improved their bench, yes, with Ucan and the like, but neglected their biggest area of need which is the attacking line, and they lost not only their best defender, but the best defender in Serie A, and replaced him with Manolas, an underachiever thus far in his career. Roma will struggle IMO.
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