Dzeko scores four in practice test

Dzeko was in deadly form in front of goal in the game at Trigoria, opening the scoring after just two minutes with a precise finish and completing his hat-trick shortly after the half-hour mark with a powerful penalty that he won himself.

In the end the Bosnia & Herzegovina international would score all the game's goals, as it finished 4-0 to the Giallorossi.

In the final tune-up before next week's Champions League play-off against Porto, Luciano Spalletti gave extended minutes to a number of players who were not extensively involved in Wednesday's friendly at Latina.

Wojciech Szczesny started in goal in his first competitive action since rejoining the club, giving away an early penalty - although he made amends by stopping the resultant effort with his legs.

With Dzeko leading the line, Mohamed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy also played the majority of the contest - along with a number of high-profile names as Spalletti looked to get everyone up to match fitness before the season kicks off in earnest.

All four of Dzeko's goal showed the striker is beginning to hone his touch in front of goal prior to the start of competitive action - with his second and fourth strikes the result of deft first-time attempts.

However his fourth strike, early in the second half, would prove to be the end of the scoring - as the hosts dominated possession but appeared to be more concerned with executing Spalletti's tactical orders than running up the scoreline.

Primavera youngsters Christian D'Urso, Eros de Santis, Lorenzo Di Livio and Edoardo Soleri all also got a taste of the action on the pitch in the final third of the meeting.

Roma starting XI: Szczesny, Torosidis, Manolas, De Rossi, Emerson, Ricci, Vainqueur, Strootman, Salah, Dzeko, El Shaarawy