Mancini delighted to grab first Roma goal

Mancini and centre-back partner Chris Smalling helped fire the Giallorossi into an early second half lead, as Edin Dzeko rounded off the scoring.

“It can be important for a defender to get a goal but the main thing we need to focus on is defending and preventing our opponents from scoring," Mancini said.

"Our goals help but up front we have some great players who are capable of winning games. Both Chris and I scored today and it turned out well.”

You and Smalling both looked happy to defend one-on-one today. What kind of partnership have you built up?

“We have a strong understanding. We do a lot of training and work with our defensive team-mates and the coach. We knew Brescia were going to leave two forwards up and Chris and I stood up to it and showed no fear, even in the one-on-ones. Football is about the battles so you have to accept them.”

How did it feel to score?

“It was a great feeling. I’d wanted to score in front of these fans and hear my name called out over the loudspeaker for ages. It’s a day I’ll remember for a long time.”

Were you enjoying your stint in central midfield?

“I did my best in the position as we were going through an injury crisis. I’m young and I still have a lot to prove, so I gave everything I had to help my team-mates. I definitely feel more comfortable playing as a defender, because that’s my position. We have good cover in midfield, so it’s only right that my team-mates play there.”

As a young Italian player, how important is it that your coach has confidence in you and gives you the chance to establish yourself?

“Young Italian players are getting more and more chances. I was lucky to be coached by [Gian Piero] Gasperini, who gives opportunities to a lot of young players, and now I’m coached by Paulo Fonseca. When I joined Roma he explained a lot of things to me – he knew I had been playing a very different style of football and I did struggle a little at the start.

"If I work as hard as I can every day, study the videos and make the most of the help the coaching staff give me, I can only get better. I want to say thanks to my team-mates too.”