Egypt winger Mohamed Salah is heading to Alexandria in high spirits ahead of a crucial game against Ghana in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on 13 November.
Salah spent a night to remember after scoring his maiden league hat-trick on Saturday, stealing the limelight from teammate Edin Dzeko as Roma reclaimed the second spot in Serie A with a 3-0 defeat of Bologna.
"I'm delighted about the hat-trick," Salah was quoted as saying on the club's official website after the game.
"We have to carry on exactly as we are. We want to win every game," the Egyptian star added.
The former Chelsea and Fiorentina player, who took his tally to eight league goals so far this season, will be part of Egypt's team for a crucial game against Ghana in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on 13 November.
"The international break is about to begin and afterwards we have to continue in this manner. We all want to win something for Roma," the Egyptian star concluded.
Salah could have added a fourth in the final minutes, but sent a first-time effort over the crossbar from Radja Nainggolan's drive across goal.
"I wanted to pass it to Perotti, but I'll get it right next time!" the forward joked.
Roma will be affected by the absence of the Pharaohs star when as he will go to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt in January.
Asked at the post-match press conference how Salah could be replaced, Giallorossi coach Luciano Spalletti joked at the post-Bologna game press conference: "That’s easy, you just buy someone exactly the same!"
"I have Stephan El Shaarawy and Juan Iturbe who can do well with more confidence. Poor thing, I haven’t allowed Iturbe much playing time, but he doesn’t have match fitness right now," he added
"He has this deadly change of pace, but needs to improve in his passing with teammates. He’s a good player," the Roma coach concluded.
Roma, who ended the league last season in third place, lie second in the table with 26 points, four behind leaders Juventus after 12 matches.
