Niccolò Pisilli admits ‘every moment wearing the captain’s armband was an honour’ after scoring in Roma’s 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava.
The 22-year-old product of the youth academy is Roma born and bred, spending his entire career with the Giallorossi jersey on his back.
For the first time this evening, he also got to wear the captain’s armband, as Lorenzo Pellegrini handed it over when the veteran sustained a muscular injury.
Just a few minutes later, Pisilli marked the occasion with his maiden Champions League goal, firing in the Donyell Malen lay-off.
Pisilli dream come true
“Every moment wearing the captain’s armband was an honour for me,” Pisilli told Sky Sport Italia.
“There were many players ahead of me in the pecking order who were absent today, so it was a lovely moment.”
Mario Hermoso and Nahuel Molina had opened the scoring against Slovan Bratislava, with Malen also converting a penalty in the 4-0 rout.
It is the first Roma victory in the Champions League this season after a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce and 4-3 home defeat to Real Madrid.
“We are growing a lot as a team, as this is our second year under the coach, so we’re all getting to know each other a lot better,” added Pisilli.
“When I am needed to attack, I do it, and when we need to defend, I try to be as determined as possible in that role.”
He has certainly made an impact, as the midfielder has three goals in just nine competitive appearances this season.