El Shaarawy encouraged by character shown in opening victory

The forward overcame a pre-season back injury to come off the substitutes' bench in Bergamo, helping his side see out a 1-0 victory over last season's fourth-place finishers.

On Monday morning the Italy international spoke to Roma Radio about the result - pointing out that it was the sort of game the squad did not always negotiate well last term.

Read everything the forward had to say during his time in the studio...

In Boston you were sidelined with a back problem, so how are you now?

“We did a lot of good work [on the problem], I wanted to return in time for the start of the championship and in the end I was ready. I am not 100% physically, but I’m happy to be back and available to the boss.”

Di Francesco asks the wide players to attack in a different way to last season, is this style of play good for you?

“It’s true, it’s a style of play that puts a big emphasis on the wide attackers – he asks us to make many moves inside and also come deeper at times. These are things I like to do, they are part of my game, so I think this is a good thing for me. We have to listen to his instructions, because he is a trainer with strong ideas.

"I think that yesterday we played well from a physical standpoint, it’s clear we didn’t produce spectacular football but we returned home with the points and more confidence.”

The coach is very focused on the tactical aspect, what do you have to do to take on board his instructions?

“We have to try and do everything he demands in training, so when the game arrives we can do it too. Those are our aims and we are trying to get to that point. The pitch yesterday did not really help us, as it was not in great shape. It didn’t make things easier. But we had to come back with the win and we managed that.

"It’s never easy to play against Atalanta, they’ve been growing over the last few seasons. Roma haven’t won against them in a while, so I think the win yesterday is a huge positive. We were able to keep it tight: it will give us confidence in terms of spirit and determination. Last year Roma had very even games like this and we didn’t always bring home the result.”

The group seems quite close, how much of a feeling is there about your strength?

“At the start the expectations are always high, especially in Rome. But I see a more convincing group, especially from the point of view of mentality: I think there is more of a winning edge than last season. Also the players that have arrived have given us a boost that we need. They have added focus and have good character.

"Someone like Kolarov, in my opinion, gives you so much – all in positive ways – and especially in his verbal communication. There are players like Kevin and Radja, who give momentum with the duels they win and the runs with the ball they make, and then there are others like Daniele [De Rossi], whose example leads you to do more.”

Matching or improving on last season will not be easy, so what are the aims?

“To continue how I finished last season, to score more goals and deliver more assists like when I first arrived in the capital. This year it’s clear for me the big objective is to play more games and score more goals. The World Cup is another key aim for me, I was not able to play in 2014 because of an injury and next year I really want to be go.”

You had the lesson with Roberto Rosetti on VAR, does it influence the way you play on the pitch at all?

“I didn’t think about it for a second, but I hope it will be something that will slowly come to help football, the referees and everything that goes on on the pitch.”

Friday is a big day, with the Champions League draw. Anyone you would prefer to face?

“Well, sooner or later the strong teams have to face each other anyway. I have not played in the groups since 2012, I have a real passion for this competition so I really can’t wait.

"I don’t mind who we get, I just want to play in it again!”