Roma coach Daniele de Rossi was delighted with their 1-0 win against Sassuolo.

Lorenzo Pellegrini proved the matchwinner on the day.

“It is fundamental to win all games. In the beginning, not everyone believed we could make it, but we did," De Rossi told DAZN before praising Pellegini.

“I can't complain about these two months. Practically, he has scored in all games.

“Pellegrini is the Roma captain, and it's not a comfortable role. When things don't go well, Rome brings complaints and annoying things, and the captain is the first one to be targeted. I have experienced this personally.

“People love me now, but there were difficult moments when I was in the spotlight. Pellegrini wears this armband with a serenity that has surprised me. He was young when I left, now he's a captain, and it's not easy. He is positive and professional, a box-to-box midfielder that not many have. I am happy he will play with the national team because this is his level."

On the top four, he also said: “Roma are not the best team, but aside from Milan, Inter and Juventus, we can play on par with the others and fight for this target.

“There are teams that prove football is not only numbers and wage bills; otherwise, Bologna would be tenth. We must be confident and believe in ourselves. If we don't, earning points will be more difficult.

“I was lucky to find a club and a group of players that believed in me. There's still a long way to go, we can still improve or ruin everything if we are not ready in these two months."