Pellegrini: We need to keep this spirit

The Giallorossi overcame the loss of a two-goal advantage to eventually win at the Stadio Olimpico, as Stephan El Shaarawy’s sharp finish – from another sublime Pellegrini assist – ensured Nicolo Zaniolo’s early goal and Aleksandar Kolarov’s penalty were not wasted.

Speaking after the game, Pellegrini highlighted the importance of the side’s mentality in getting the three points – something he wants to see more of going forward.

“It was a really important win, against a good side,” Pellegrini said.

“We were winning 2-0 and then they got back into it – at times perhaps we have not had the winning mentality to respond, but today I saw the determination in the eyes of my teammates and I didn’t think even for a second that we wouldn’t win.

“Our strength is in the way we play the game – we always have to try and do that. Sometimes it’s natural that adrenaline and tension are going to make you lose a bit of focus or clarity – but in the end we won and I’m very happy. We all played well against a really good side that had not lost away from home in the league until today. So it’s clearly a very valuable win.”

Roma now head to Atalanta for a tricky away clash. Pellegrini could continue in his deeper midfield role or may yet be pushed back into the trequartista position he has played for much of the campaign.

“Against Atalanta it will be important to match them physically, in the same way Torino tried to play today,” he noted.

“But we also need to play with the determination and focus that we saw today, while never stopping to impose our style of play on the game. If we play as we did today then I am sure next Sunday we will get the result we want.

“I am happy to contribute all across the pitch, above and beyond my specific role. Right now I’m playing a bit deeper, that’s where the side needs me. Playing a bit further forward it’s natural that you will have a bit less tactical restriction but I feel equally comfortable in central midfield – when one player can run and one can drop.”