Dzeko: We could have made things easier

Dzeko scored the second goal of the game – after just 19 minutes – to seemingly send the Giallorossi on their way to victory, only for Eusebio Di Francesco’s side to endure something of a struggle to get through to half-time still in control.

By full-time the 3-0 scoreline could, and perhaps should, have been even greater – with Stephan El Shaarawy and Aleksandar Kolarov getting the other goals on the night.

“It is difficult for us to have a calm night, because even today in the first half when we went 2-0 it wasn’t plain sailing,” Dzeko said.

“I don’t really know why, at times we stop playing, which happened in the last 20 minutes of the first half. In the end Mirante made a nice save that bailed us out.”

He added: “After a terrible performance like in Florence, against Milan we showed that are a strong side and can also be an organised one – which was clear against the Rossoneri, even if we didn’t get the second goal. Today as well we did that, even if it is never easy to win away from home in Serie A.

“Like the fans, we are disappointed as well. After a game like that no-one is happy, the players above all. But the fans are our 12th man on the pitch and we really need them. We hope they are all there on Tuesday and do everything they can to support us, because we will definitely need to give everything we have and they can help us with that.”

Roma now head into Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 clash with Porto – but they are also amidst a growing battle to qualify for next season’s competition.

“This year the race for the top four is tight, and maybe there are a few more sides involved – but we must do what we can and win our matches,” Dzeko said.

“If we don’t win then there isn’t much point even looking at what other teams are doing.”