Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has hailed the impact of Chris Smalling.

The former Manchester United defender is now in his third season with the Giallorossi.

Pellegrini, "I recently asked him where he would take me out to dinner, this year I've already given him three assists.

"We said: every three assists, a dinner out. A top dinner, though! He's great, so positive, great on and off the pitch."

On winning the Europa Conference League, he added: "The whole journey was special. From the beginning, we believed we could win. We dedicated ourselves to this. Winning has been a dream come true for me.

"I have always dreamed of lifting a trophy with this shirt and last season it was my first real season as captain. To be able to combine those two things, the first win of my career with the captain's armband in this shirt, was really exciting."