Salah: Goal gives me perfect Fiorentina platform

EXCLUSIVE: After bagging his first Serie A goal for the Viola, the Egyptian is now hoping to help take down Tottenham in the Europa League

Mohamed Salah was a happy man after opening his Fiorentina account in Saturday's win at Sassuolo on Saturday, claiming the goal is a huge boost in his bid to establish himself as a star in Italy.

The Egypt international joined the Viola on loan from Chelsea during the winter transfer window, after failing to nail down a regular berth in Jose Mourinho's starting line-up following his arrival from Basel in January of last year.

Consequently, Salah is desperate to prove himself at Fiorentina and took a significant step in the right direction by scoring one goal and creating another, for Khouma Babacar, in a 3-1 Serie A victory at the Mapei Stadium.

"I am really happy with my first goal," the 22-year-old winger says. "This goal will be a big boost for me in the coming matches.

"I am happy with this victory and we will continue work hard to achieve our targets.

"Now, we focus on the next game, against Tottenham in the Europa League."

Salah wore a black armband during the game in honour of the 22 Zamalek fans who lost their lives during clashes with Egyptian police ahead of a league game in Cairo on February 8.

"This is normal behaviour towards the victims' families and just a message to express my sympathy," he added.

Salah is now set for a swift return to London, with Fiorentina travelling to White Hart Lane on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League round-of-32 tie with Spurs.