El Shaarawy: I believe we can achieve great things with this team

The coach says you're a first-choice player in his eyes. Is that nice to hear?

“Of course it's nice to hear the gaffer say things like that. It was good to get the win today and nice to score two goals as well. It's been a great day all round really!”

Sometimes you have to play a waiting game but you know how to wait for your chance...

“I think I'm a pretty relaxed and easy-going guy and I've always tried to do what's best for the team. I really do believe that if you work hard, you get your reward. We need to keep this up now. We're a great team and we've shown that in the last few games. They may have looked easy on paper but they weren't – it was the way we went about our jobs and stayed focused that made them look easy. It's just a shame we let one in at the end but overall it was a very good performance.”

Do you think this could be your year and Roma's year?

“We say that every season! Joking aside, I do believe we can achieve great things with this team. From a personal perspective, I feel good both physically and mentally so I want to carry that forward. It's thanks to the coach as well.”

Did you and Diego Perotti agree to spend one half each on either flank?

“Yes, we decided that at the start of the match. We both prefer to play on the left but that doesn't mean we can't play on the right as well. We're Serie A players after all and if the boss asks us to do a job there, he does so for a reason and we have to be up for it.”