Statements by José Mourinho, coach of Roma, after the 2-0 triumph against Salzburg, in the second leg of the play-off for access to the round of 16 of the Europa League, and consequent continuity in the competition.
Compliments: “We achieved an important result. It was a complete performance at all levels. The team, the group, the solidarity, I liked everything. from many people. My scouts did a great job to prepare the team in the best possible way.”
El Shaarawy out of the starting XI: “I have to talk about El Shaarawy because I took him out of eleven and I didn’t have a plan B if he had started from the beginning. I couldn’t count on Tammy [Abraham] no [Ola] Solbakken. [El Shaarawy] he was the man who had to change the intensity of the game and enter the last minutes plus compensation. He’s playing at a great level and I’m sorry he didn’t play at the start, but that makes me understand the spirit of the group, because we talked and he accepted. It’s a great win against a Champions League team.”
Italian teams doing well in the qualifiers: “Italian teams are returning to their best level. Napoli, Milan and Inter won the first game of the Champions League and some have a foot or a foot and a half in the next round. Spinazzola returned in good shape, but on an individual level, easy to play well when others play well. I suffered for the result, but we dominated the game, our risk was zero, as we were always in control of the game. The team understands the dynamics and when Gini [Wijnaldum] enters the field, gives something more in terms of quality and experience. The music is different.”
Belotti (scored the first goal): “There are strikers who do nothing if they don’t score, but [no caso de Belotti] even if he doesn’t score goals, he works hard for the team. He is an incredible worker. we are all very happy [pelo golo que marcou] and our supporters have expressed their gratitude for everything he does.”
