AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy admits a long scoring drought can prey on his mind.

El Shaarawy has only just broken back into Pippo Inzaghi's line-up.

"You end up thinking about it, it's inevitable," he said.

"When you enter that kind of spiral, scoring becomes even more difficult and you risk being conditioned psychologically.

"When you're able to unblock yourself you pick up confidence, and at that point you go into the field with greater tranquillity.

"Scoring is fundamental for a striker. Over time you form rites and rituals that become almost subconscious.

"When I scored 16 goals I did things that I repeated before every game, they gave me confidence.

"I think that if your mind is clear from all thoughts then you can perform twice as well, because it is the head that rules over the rest of the body.

"It's paramount. If you can attain serenity, the legs follow suit."