Radja: A great team win, a special match

Radja Nainggolan admitted he was delighted to be able to help his side win Saturday's derby against Lazio after "giving everything" to be fit for the game.

The Belgium international was a major doubt for the contest after suffering a thigh injury while away with the national side, but he was passed fit enough to start the game at the Stadio Olimpico - and rewarded coach Eusebio Di Francesco with what would turn out to be the winning goal.

“The goal is not what’s important, but helping the team," Nainggolan said.

“It was a great team win. I’ve always tried to help my team-mates. It was a game I wanted to play in – these are special matches. I made my impact and I’m happy with that.

"I gave everything to be here – we managed to win and I'm pleased.”

It was a slightly nervy finish, however, after Ciro Immobile halved the deficit with just under 20 minutes remaining.

“We had to dig in at the end," Nainggolan acknowledged. "In the first half we tried to be on the offensive, also at the start of the second. At 2-0 we let our foot off the gas slightly, but the important thing was to get the win – we got that, with great spirit on show. We’re in a good vein of form and we need to keep it up.”

He added: “I’m not making any predictions [about the season] – that’s never done anyone good. We’ll focus on each game as it comes and see where that takes us.

"The key will be to qualify for the Champions League. Now we look ahead to the game in Madrid [against Atletico] before switching our focus back to the league.”