Schick: We need to take this form into our next game

Schick scored after just 23 seconds at the Stadio Olimpico to send the Giallorossi on their way, with his smart finish just two minutes into the second half helping to confirm a quarter-final trip to face Fiorentina.

While pleased to get off the mark so quickly in 2019, Schick knows there is much more work ahead.

“The Coppa Italia is one of objectives. I’m pleased with the brace, but we need to keep building from this,” Schick said.

“We will have to prepare very well for Fiorentina. The winter break was long, this game will give us back a bit of sharpness before we return to Serie A. Against Torino on Saturday we need to win.”

The Czech Republic finished 2018 with a goal at home against Sassuolo and, after starting the New Year in form, was asked if he is now feeling a bit more relaxed out on the pitch.

He was also asked about his backheel for Ivan Marcano’s goal – a clever pass inside the box that left the Entella defence stranded.

“It’s always important to feel free mentally – perhaps that helped me score twice tonight,” he noted.

“The assist? Before Karsdorp shot I saw in the corner of my eye that a few players were free inside the box – I tried to get it to one of them and in the end it was Marcano that finished it. It was deliberate.”