Roma defender Kostas Manolas was delighted after Saturday's narrow win away at Empoli.
An own goal by Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe was enough for the Giallorossi with the Greece international again one of the best players on the pitch.
"It's an important win, it was a difficult match," Manolas told Roma TV.
"Replacing Benatia? Benatia was a great player but as I've said already, I'm the future at Roma, I will work very hard to replace him and to help Roma have a good season.
"CSKA [in the Champions League]? It's our first game, we have to do well, we have to win, there are a lot of good teams in the competition."
The 23-year-old is already a fan favourite in the capital after establishing himself as one of the top defenders in the early part of the Italian Serie A.
"[Leandro] Castan and I are doing well at the back," Manolas added to Sky Sport Italy.
"But I did well alongside [Davide] Astori as well. The Empoli game was very physical, they played a good match, they were very organised,"
