Jose Mourinho gave a remarkably frank interview after the win over 10-man Fiorentina, admitting Roma ‘lack quality’ in their squad and have to adjust around those weaknesses. ‘We can’t just buy Mudryk for €100m.’
The Giallorossi had the undoubted advantage of seeing Viola defender Dodo sent off for a second bookable offence after just 25 minutes, but eventually scored two fine goals with Tammy Abraham assists for Paulo Dybala.
“I tried to keep calm because I was afraid of (fourth official) Rossi,” the coach told DAZN after returning from a touchline ban.
“I know that many times I say some harsh words, I am not a Saint, and I don’t like being out. Fiorentina are a very good team, well-organised, they made it difficult for us last season down to 10 men too.
“We defended well with our characteristics, were always in control and didn’t really have tough situations to deal with, but I would like to see more quality, more players who want the ball at their feet.
“In terms of tactics, motivation and dealing with the team, I can only speak highly of my players, so highly. But I would like a little more quality and confidence on the ball. We make do with our characteristics.”
Does this suggest Mourinho is expecting some reinforcements with different characteristics on the transfer market?
“I am not expecting anyone to arrive. The director (Tiago Pinto) was very honest and direct, he said things in an interview that a coach usually doesn’t like to hear. Coaches always want to hear we have lots of money, can buy option a, b, c, d, build an incredible team. That is the dream.
“I worked at clubs with those sorts of practically limitless funds. There are more and more clubs nowadays who fit that profile, but it’s not our profile. We work, we give our all, we work with the characteristics we’ve got.
“After the break we had three games here against Bologna, Genoa and Fiorentina, the fact we keep clean sheets gives us a good chance of winning, because we don’t score many.”
Mourinho was asked if he knew this would be the situation when going into the campaign or if it evolved over time?
“I don’t want to talk too much about this. I just want to say it’s a total lie to suggest there are personal problems between me and the director. You cannot criticise anyone for speaking honestly.”
The Special One seemed very impressed and frustrated when Andrea Barzagli in the DAZN studio asked if Roma could speed up the movement of their passing.
“Thank goodness we don’t have a camera pointed at me to see my reactions! We do what we can with our characteristics. There are coaches who have the possibility to play some super quality football, others who find it more difficult. We try to find a balance between our qualities, our problems and the results that are possible.
“When we play against a team with really good quality and a coach like Vincenzo Italiano, who I really like, they are going to keep the ball more even down to 10 men. We controlled the game, but not with the ball.
“We controlled it because we are defensively organised and ready to work hard. I hope people understand me when I say this with all the love in the world, I call Bove a sick dog, because he bites, he nips at your heels, he works, he is intelligent, is learning and makes me so happy.”
Mourinho also thanked Marash Kumbulla for “giving a positive response” when called upon to replace suspended Roger Ibanez, admitting he is only the fourth choice centre-back.
“In order to get that quality, we must get the children to grow. Tahirovic has this quality. We need a defender who can pass the ball better out of defence and Kumbulla is probably the one who does it best, but we need Ibanez because of his pace and determination.
“We need to find a solution, we can’t just buy Mudryk for €100m!”
That was a reference to Chelsea blowing Premier League rivals Arsenal out of the water with an increased offer for Shakhtar Donetsk talent Mykhailo Mudryk.
When asked if a change of system could help, he gave a telling response.
“No, because there are many players here who can’t work with four at the back. I have to hide our problems!”
It was widely reported that Dybala cut his vacation short after winning the World Cup with Argentina, though Mourinho reveals that’s not entirely how it happened.
“Dybala originally asked to come back on January 1. I said this team cannot win against Bologna without you, so I want you to return on the 29th. He called me on December 27, said he was flying back that day to train on December 28. That is Paulo, he is a special lad.
“I also want to thank Lorenzo Pellegrini, who got hurt three days ago and even this morning we weren’t sure if he could play, but he put in an enormous effort to play 75 minutes. I thank him for that.”
This weekend’s results mean Roma move to within four points of second-placed Milan, as it’s a real scrum for the Champions League places with six teams in a four-point radius.
Who else besides English teams are spending money. Wake up old man
What’s the point of having a coach as great as Mourinho, you expect her to get results with these weak players.
Why don’t you buy good players for her?You can’t do miracles with the likes of Cristante and Eduardo Boh
Mou has said but he knew Roma do not have that extra fund to go the extra mile. May be if the team qualifies for Champions league, the story could change.
He is tyring by all means, i like that a lot about him
He is trying the best way to win, even with some players who are not yet quality enough