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In what was effectively his second debut for Roma, Smalling looked calm and composed in the heart of defence, as the side ultimately ended up drawing 0-0 with CSKA Sofia in the Europa League match.
The England international was withdrawn just before the hour-mark, as he continues his recuperation after a recent knee injury.
“For me it was good to get 60 minutes under the belt," Smalling said.
"I couldn’t wait to get back out there, to be on the pitch with my teammates. We are a bit disappointed though to not take the three points.”
He added: “In the first half we didn’t have the right energy. We needed to move the ball around better, move it faster. In the second half we did that a bit more and you saw a difference."
As his fitness improves, Smalling could be in line to start again at the weekend against Fiorentina.
“I would say I'm fit enough for 60 minutes, I’ve been feeling good in training for the last few days," he said.
"I’m still not at my best, but I’ll be there very soon.”
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