Italian U21 coach Luigi Di Biagio says Mattia Destro needs a run of games to score more consistently for Roma.
Destro has four goals this season and last scored in Roma’s 2-0 win over Cesena at the end of October. Since then, the Italian international has only started twice in the past seven league matches.
Di Biagio thinks the 23-year-old needs to be playing from the start to find the net more regularly for the Giallorossi.
“Destro can’t just play 20 minutes per game,” the former Roma midfielder told Centro Suono Sport.
“He should play ten consecutive games to give him a proper chance. It’s wrong to compare him to [Francesco] Totti.
“Destro is one of those players who needs to play regularly.”
Roma go into the winter shut down just three points behind Juventus and Di Biagio believes Rudi Garcia and his team can look back on a strong season so far.
“When I hear people say that Roma is not doing that well, I laugh,” said the 43-year-old coach.
“Perhaps we have become accustomed to seeing them always win, and consequently we are shocked if we see them draw a game.
“Roma have paid a bit by playing every three days but they are having a great season.”
Di Biagio also spoke of his hope that his Azzurri under-21 squad will have a successful European Championships, which take place in the Czech Republic in June.
“It will be a tough competition, but we will aim to win. We want to get at least a top four finish so we qualify for the Olympics.”
