AS Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco insists he believes in Stephan El Shaarawy.

Di Francesco completely dropped the striker for their Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.

He said, “More than the pedigree of what someone did in their career, the current form is more important, Stephan has been in these Champions League ties before, but physically and psychologically he was not on top form. As Alessandro Florenzi wasn't well and we needed someone versatile like Gerson, with Schick capable of changing a game off the bench, I had no more room.

“I spoke to Stephan and must say he is a very intelligent lad who knows he has to find himself again."