El Shaarawy: ‘EURO 2024 still all to play for’

Stephan El Shaarawy was overjoyed to attain for Italy in his ‘house’ stadium, however warned EURO 2024 qualification is ‘nonetheless all to play for’ towards Ukraine.

The Roma man got here off the bench on the Stadio Olimpico and put the ultimate cherry on the cake with the fifth purpose in stoppages, beating North Macedonia 5-2.

“It felt great to get again on the scoresheet for Italy and to do it on the Olimpico, this offers it a particular style,” El Shaarawy instructed Sky Sport Italia.

“It was vital to get the win. I all the time tried to work and provides my greatest for the workforce when referred to as upon. I’m blissful and glad.”

The victory implies that Italy want solely a degree towards Ukraine on impartial turf in Leverkusen on Monday night to safe qualification for the EURO 2024 match.

Nonetheless, El Shaarawy is taking nothing as a right with the chance of sliding into the play-offs but once more.

“It’ll be an actual battle in Leverkusen, as qualification remains to be all to play for. The victory is vital, nevertheless it mustn’t make us really feel too snug, all it ought to do is give us the assumption that we’re a robust workforce.

“All the things remains to be up for grabs and we can’t afford a mistake.”

Italy are presently in joint second with Ukraine on 13 factors, so a draw can be adequate because of the superior head-to-head report.

It is because they beat Ukraine 2-1 at San Siro with a Davide Frattesi brace in September.