Roma coach Jose Mourinho revealed he had the opportunity to leave the club in December, but he’s committed to the Giallorossi. Mourinho was speaking to DAZN after his sides 2-0 victory over Empoli, a win that takes them up to joint second in the Serie A standings, and touched on the importance of Tammy Abraham to his team as well the situation regarding Nicolo Zaniolo:
“Is Abraham untouchable? There was a period when I had doubts, he was going through a difficult moment, now even if he doesn’t score goals his contribution is fundamental. He did everything well, in the second half he kept the ball, brought the team up, looked for depth. In the first – apart from the goal – he interacted well with Dybala and Pellegrini”.
“The approach? We played with the team that in theory is the strongest we can field. We saw 30 minutes with a perfectly defined game plan, then the intensity dropped and we changed tactics. It dropped because it’s our nature, Dybala had some problems, Pellegrini was tired, Matic too, the line dropped. But I’m happy because we know our limits. We do what we can, today we got three points against a difficult team. I told Zanetti that they are a very good team and that’s why it’s an important victory.”
“At the stadium there are people who don’t understand, others do, but also among the press, or at least they pretend not to understand,” continued Mou. “This is our reality. If I had played with these 11 against Cremonese we would be in the semi-final but we wouldn’t have won today… We do our best, we work hard. Before the game I told the players that we had to go onto the pitch with a rucksack full of frustration for the defeat, without waiting for outside help. It’s just us. That’s why I went in with them for the first time in the warm-up.
Belotti? There will be space for him too, he arrived late, he had two injuries, now he’s in good condition and he did well in the Coppa Italia. His confidence is growing and mine in him, but we’re playing with 11. Other teams keep incredible players on the bench but nothing is asked of them… Andrea can’t play with Abraham. Only 30″ minutes for him today? Better than zero, he helped me win the game. Zaniolo? The club’s problem, he has to solve it with them, not me. Convincing Smalling? It’s not up to me.”
