In the aftermath of Rome-Empoli, spoke Jose Mourinho.
José Mourinho to DAZN
Did you play well and defended Roma well?
“We played a solid, compact game, the 2-0 does not give peace of mind, but we were in control, against a team that plays well and creates difficulties. We did well what we prepared, we deserved to win and it’s always good to win after defeats. 15 points in 7 games is a good tally ”.
What did he say to Zaniolo when he was replaced?
“I told him that a player must react like this to a few moments of sadness. He expected to go to the national team, Mancini made his choices and Zaniolo has to play like this to create problems for him, obviously in a positive way. From the derby we saw the real Zaniolo, today I liked him a lot ”.
He and Pellegrini get along very well.
“Pellegrini is happy in many areas of the pitch, they tried to mark him as a man, but he created many points of connection with many teammates”.
How do you handle the pressure of the city on the team?
“I think people are responding well, I said defeat would come, that after the victories we still hadn’t done anything. We know who we are and what we want and we know the differences with the teams that have come in front of us in recent years. I accepted a different job profile from the previous ones in my career and I am happy with this job, to let Darboe play, to grow Calafiori and Zalewski. The other teams make changes with experienced players, we have to make the players grow and people have to understand our path. I was comfortable with 4 consecutive wins and I have remained so after the defeat in the derby. It will be the experience. I am calm both when people are euphoric and when people are sad, but I am happy that the fans remain with the same attitude both after a win and after a defeat. They never fail us for their support. We are all together, we are a giant club, but as a team we have a path to follow ”.
José Mourinho at the press conference (by the correspondent Gabriele Chiocchio)
What signal did the team give?
“A sign of maturity, intelligence, professionalism. If you lose a derby, there are defeats and defeats. For me, defeat is always a defeat, but last Sunday we went out knowing we were superior. We went out with that positive feeling. Maturity, experience. , games that are over you can’t replay them. The next one is the most important, we played two games, Thursday and today, with excellent control. We played good football, in Ukraine it was easier because the pitch was beautiful, here it’s more difficult because it is the worst field in Serie A. Empoli is not an easy team, it is a team that seeks breadth and depth, has people who play between the lines, forces the opponent to defend well. Today we defended well, not I remember Rui’s extraordinary saves, three solid points and in my opinion deserved “.
Tonight he broke another record: since there are three points no coach had remained undefeated at home for 42 straight games, between Inter and Roma. What does it mean?
“I learned 2-3 weeks ago that there were a few games left, my mentality is that the next home game is the most important, but it’s a moment to thank my Inter players, with them we have had two unbeaten seasons in home, thanks to the Inter fans at San Siro and obviously thanks to my Roma players, with whom we played four home games, and thanks to the Roma fans who are fantastic. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m not crazy, but I’m pleased. “
You have coached many great players. Is there a player who reminds you of Pellegrini’s class?
“I coached great players, Lorenzo is one of them, for sure. But usually I coached teams that soon became finished products, teams that had one goal, to win. We are a team with a different profile, we have to grow together. He is talented, but he is a team player. In my opinion for his path as a player the new contract is perfect, for his status, his experience, his maturity. Maybe one day he will still have time to take a different path, he can do it . If he decides to become the man, Rome has everything to do it “.
Abraham joked about the stakes, when things change will it be further growth?
“There are forwards who because of their profile, if they don’t score, it doesn’t matter. There are many strikers who don’t contribute if they don’t score. There are others who can be among the best in the field without scoring, and that was Abraham. He played a tremendous game in terms of support, as a target, as a movement. In the second half he pressed, we improved, for me he played an extraordinary game. The goals will certainly come, but he played an extraordinary game. “
Zaniolo?
“Against Lazio he played very well today and also with Zorya in the last minutes when he joined. Physically he is growing a lot. He is growing in initiative and in confidence. He is a player who suffers from this horrible field, he wants to attack the defenders, he wants to fit in. in tight spaces. He has to fight against this field in horrible conditions. I’m very happy with his game. “
Smalling e Karsdorp?
“Smalling’s is not an injury, but we have to wait. He has played 2 games in a row, it can happen. Karsdorp is a blow at the last minute of the first half, pain but not injury, this is mine and his feeling.”
José Mourinho to the official channels of Roma
Does it match?
“We played well, in a solid way, always in control. We created, knew how to defend against a team that creates difficulties by giving a lot of breadth with full-backs and technical players.”
At what point is Rome you want?
“We only did three months of work, with some even less because they arrived late. We are progressing little by little, we are all learning”.
The anthem sung by the fans?
“I like it a lot. The people are there with the heart, many come, if they don’t come more it’s just because it’s not possible. It’s especially nice to see that when you lose a game, people stay with the team.”
42 home games without losing for her.
“They told me a few weeks ago, but the next one at home is the most important, not these 42. But it’s nice, if a record is mine and also of my players from Roma and before Inter.”
Is stopping good?
“I don’t think so, let’s play in two weeks, it’s too long”.
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