Pellegrini elated after scoring first Roma goal

Pellegrini scored the third of Roma’s goals to effectively wrap up the points, and was visibly elated to break his duck for the club he first joined before he was even a teenager.

“I really wanted that first goal, for obvious reasons,” Pellegrini said. “It was a nice moment, better than I could have even asked for. It was a good win, and an important one after the draw in Genoa.

“It’s always great to score, but to do it here at the Olimpico, in front of our Curva, makes it even more special.”

With Kevin Strootman also getting on the scoresheet, it was a night for the midfielders at the Olimpico – with Edin Dzeko grabbing the other goal.

“This year the central midfielders haven’t scored much,” Pellegrini acknowledged. “It was important to add a few goals to the team and we have done it, scoring two of the three today. We are happy about that.

“We knew that we had to move the ball around on the flanks, because they looked to flood the centre – especially after the red card. I think that we were able to do that well: although even after the third goal we could have continued to push on. The important thing is to win and we are happy that we did that.”

Pellegrini received some criticism following last week’s Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, but insisted he had not let that affect him unduly.

“I think thisone of the best games so far, because it’s always great when you score and win,” he noted. “We think only about the games, we leave everything that is said outside and focus on the pitch. I am happy with my individual display but above all the victory for the team.

“We put in a good display tonight but now we are thinking about Tuesday, because the Champions League game against Qarabag will be an important one and we have to be fully focused.”