Jose Mourinho admits Paulo Dybala is ‘too important’ for Roma on his comeback against Lecce and shrugs off the impact of a touchline ban. ‘It is still my team.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.
The Giallorossi are still in the midst of an injury crisis, but at least have Dybala back in the starting XI for the first time since October 8, while Renato Sanches is available on the bench after more than a month.
Leandro Paredes is suspended, with Leonardo Spinazzola, Chris Smalling, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham and Marash Kumbulla injured.
“We worked well during the week. We lost an important player through suspension, but got back two others who can give a hand,” Mourinho told DAZN.
“We know Lecce have quality, but we are here to win the game.”
Roma have won only one of the last seven Serie A games played without Mourinho on the touchline, so how does his presence – or absence – affect the team?
“That is a strange question, isn’t it? The team is still my team, whether I am on the bench or in the stands,” smiled Mou.
Dybala has not played at all since the injury in the 4-1 win over Cagliari on October 8, so how many minutes does he have in his legs today?
“I don’t know, it depends on how he feels. He is too important for us to take the option of leaving him out. He has to play, we need to use the players who have the most quality.”