Strootman: Now we can look forward again

Kevin Strootman was savouring a "huge win" after Roma beat Inter Milan 2-1 in a hard-fought match on Sunday evening.

Kostas Manolas scored 15 minutes from time to secure victory for the hosts, after Ever Banega had cancelled out Edin Dzeko's fourth-minute opener.

The victory was an important statement from the Giallorossi, who have endured an up-and-down start to the season so far.

“It's a huge win for everyone who works at the club and the fans," Strootman said. "Now we can look forward. We've dropped too many points on the road and a team like Roma can't be doing that.

"These points today are very important for us going into the next game against Napoli.”

Why do Roma struggle to reproduce the same form away from home?

“I don't know, perhaps it's a mental issue. The pitch is the same, the referees are the same and the only difference is the fans. We're professionals and we need to do our jobs away from home and pick up more points.”

You're looking more and more like the Kevin Strootman of old...

“I always try to give everything I've got. There are lots of areas where I still need to improve but physically I'm fine. The coaching staff, the fans and my team-mates have been really supportive and I want to give something back to Roma. They've always been behind me and that's important to me.”

Victory today means you've maintained the same distance from Juventus.

“They're ahead of us and they're winning matches easily but we have to take things one game at a time. We've got the win today, now we have the international break and then we have another massive match away to Napoli.”