Roma director Tiago Pinto notes Tammy Abraham ‘can do better’ and Jose Mourinho remains fully committed to a three-year project.

The second leg of the Conference League Round of 16 with Vitesse kicks off at 20.00 GMT.

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Abraham again starts upfront and is just one goal off equalling the tally achieved by Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella in their debut Roma campaigns.

“Tammy is doing well, but he can do better,” the director told Sky Sport Italia.

“He has quality, is strong, has technique. As for the other strikers, I think it’s just a passing phase of the season. It’s true we haven’t scored many goals lately, but I am sure they will arrive with hard work and a little more luck.

“The important thing is that the team wins. I am certain that with the work of the coach, we will bring home results.”

Some have suggested Nicolò Zaniolo is not used to the best of his abilities at Roma in a 3-5-2 formation, while his role for Italy is still up in the air too.

“Zaniolo has incredible potential. He needs freedom and can play in several different roles. Clearly, our system is different to that of the Italy side. His explosiveness needs space to really build momentum.

“I don’t see him as a second striker, the coach deals with him the way he sees fit.”

Roma face Lazio in Serie A at the weekend and fourth place is seeming more and more unlikely, but Tiago Pinto assures it won’t affect their project.

“We knew when we started that this was a three-year project. It is important to state your ideas, regardless of the result.

“We can have a good season along with these fans and over the three years, we will have a team that can win.

“What strikes me about Mourinho is the motivation he has in his work. His career is incredible, yet he works every day with such commitment. That surprised me.”

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