Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini says Paulo Dybala’s injury should not be an excuse for Roma:‘We are experiencing the same with Nabil Fekir.’
The Giallorossi travel to Spain, one week after their 2-1 loss at the Stadio Olimpico against the La Liga side.
Both Dybala and Fekir played the reverse fixture in Rome last week, but have then sustained injuries, so they won’t be available tomorrow.
“Surely, losing a player like Dybala always has an impact,” Pellegrini said at a press conference as quoted by LaRoma24.
“However, Roma don’t depend on one single player. Surely, they don’t depend on one player. I am sure they will have a strong replacement. It happened the same to us with Fekir, but it’s not an excuse.
“He [Fekir] is recovering from an injury, but there isn’t a date set for his return. He is not available for the match against Roma and the next one on Sunday.”
What does Pellegrini expect from Roma after last week’s meeting?
“I expect a team with the same characteristics, I think it will be a balanced match but we deserved to win in Rome because we spent more time in their half. Mourinho’s teams have intensity and do well with counter-attacks.”
Roma have earned three points in the opening three games in the Europa League Group C, winning one match and losing two. They are currently six points behind leaders Real Betis.
José Mourinho has won the competition twice during his career, first at Porto in 2003, when it was still called UEFA Cup, and then at Manchester United in 2017.
Roma have collected 19 points in nine Serie A games so far after six wins, one draw and two defeats.
It’s an Italian club. Excuse are what we do best!
Finished League!