AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah has said that he thought the team were not as ruthless as they should have been against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last-16, resulting in their elimination following a 4-0 aggregate defeat to the Spanish giants.

In an interview with his club's official website, which was reported by La Gazetta dello Sport, Salah also talked about his previous stints at Chelsea and Fiorentina before sealing his permanent move to Roma in the close season.

"We were not as ruthless as we should have been in the two legs against Real Madrid; that's why we ended up the losing side," the 23-year-old said.

"As for my time at Chelsea, I struggled to impose myself but can't deny that my spell there added to my experience.

"The same could be said of Fiorentina, where I was able to develop and also made many friends.

"But I eventually came to Roma as it is a popular club in Egypt, and because I want to win titles with the club."

Salah also spoke of the start of his footballing career, which saw him play as a left-back at Arab Contractors – from where he left for Basel to embark on his European adventure.

"The first time I kicked a ball was at the age of seven. I used to play on the road and within the confines of my old school fence.

"Back then, football was just a game for me. I thought of becoming a professional only seven years later where I played as a left-back for Arab Contractors wearing jersey number three."    

Salah, who has 11 Serie A goals to his name so far since joining Roma, was particularly guilty in the second-leg against Real at the Santiago Bernabeau – where he spurned a couple of one-on-one chances to eventually lose 2-0.

The Egyptian was also in the midst of a dispute with Fiorentina, whom he joined on a six-month loan from parent club Chelsea in January last year, after refusing to make his deal permanent with the club.

He eventually joined Roma on a permanent deal from the English champions, with the last of his league goals coming against former club Fiorentina – where he netted a brace in a comprehensive 4-1 win on 4 March. 

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