Jose Mourinho once again thanks his Roma players for pushing through fatigue and injury in a 2-0 defeat to Inter, but also slams his critics. ‘Being attacked by someone who was banned for betting, that makes me happy.’
The Giallorossi were decimated by injuries and the Zeki Celik suspension, so Andrea Belotti started despite having a cracked rib, while Paulo Dybala came on for the final 20 minutes.
However, soon after La Joya was introduced, Roger Ibanez gave away the ball cheaply for Romelu Lukaku to make it 2-0, following the Federico Dimarco opener from a tight angle.
After the final whistle, Mourinho gathered the entire Roma squad around him on the pitch in a huddle, gave a brief speech and then took them over to salute the supporters. What did he say?
“Simple, I told them that I felt incredibly proud for all they had done, the effort of those who were fatigued, who played with one leg, who played with an intercostal fracture and pain-killing injections, the kids who gave their contribution and then a stadium that is absolutely incredible. These lads have been able to build something fantastic with these fans,” Mourinho told DAZN.
“You know me, a defeat is always hard for me to swallow, but I go home with immense pride in my heart. They have the day off tomorrow, I will be at the youth team and then we start work again.”
As with every post-match interview now, Mourinho focused on the lack of options at his disposal, not just due to injuries.
“Today we played against the best team in Italy, who are in the Champions League semi-final, my players are exhausted. Mancio, Lorenzo, Cristante, they play all the time. I tell you, when I arrived Bove was going out on loan to Triestina and yet today he started against Inter. That makes me happy.”
As always, the Special One also aimed criticism at the referee, but this time also at some who did not look kindly upon his behaviour after the midweek draw with Monza.
“After that, there are incidents during the game that if the club wants to talk about it, they can, otherwise I will not be the one to talk. Especially as I was destroyed, attacked on my ethics and education in the media.
“But it gives me joy too, because to be attacked by someone who was given a three-year ban for betting in football, that makes me happy. Bye-bye!” added Mourinho when walking away and refusing any questions.
He was seemingly referring to Renzo Ulivieri, the President of the Italian Coaches’ Association, who had strong words in defence of referees.
Ulivieri was one of many caught up in the Toronero-bis scandal of 1986.
This result means Roma drop down to joint sixth place, now five points adrift of the top four, and they have an inferior head-to-head record with Inter.
That is because while the Giallorossi won 2-1 at San Siro, they lost 2-0 here.