El Shaarawy: A night to remember forever

The winger scored inside the first minute - the fastest Champions League goal in the club's history - to set them on their way at the Stadio Olimpico, and put them in control of their Group C destiny.

“It’s the kind of night that you never forget, for the rest of your life," El Shaarawy said. "This is a special night – it was my first brace in the Champions League, plus beating Chelsea 3-0 doesn’t happen every day. This win means a lot to us.”

He added: “It means a great deal [to go top of the group]. When the draw was made, there was some doubt surrounding us. But we went to London and played a really good game, at a tough ground. Now we have an important game before the international break – we’re purely focused on that.”

After his breathtaking winner against Bologna at the weekend, El Shaarawy's birthday week - he turned 25 on Friday - has turned out to be rather special.

“Special is the right word," he added. "It was my birthday – it’s been an intense week, full of excitement. I’m really happy.”