José Mourinho says Roma–Napoli was such an intense game that he got tired even on the bench and explains his red card and the punishment for five of his players.
The Giallorossi picked up a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Roma returned to the pitch after their humiliating 6-1 defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the Conference League on Thursday.
“For me, it was a great game, but perhaps the feeling that I had was different from yours’. I think it was a high-level match,” Mourinho told DAZN.
“It’s never easy to play against Napoli, but we tried to win it. It was a 0-0 draw, not a great show, but I even got tired from the bench.
“I saw great concentration, not fear, but respect for the opponent.
“I think the full-backs are improving, Veretout and Cristante provide good diagonal cover in the middle of the park. It was important to see Zaniolo and Mkhitaryan help during the game.
Mourinho and Spalletti sent off in Roma vs. Napoli touchline drama
“It was an intense game, I saw tired players, we had our chances, it was a unique game also for the two red cards shown to the coaches.”
Both Mourinho and Spalletti were sent off in the second half. Mourinho got two yellow cards for dissent while Spalletti applauded referee Davide Massa for his control of the match, earning a red card.
“I wasn’t happy about the referee’s decision, but I didn’t say a word. Nobody is going home happy, both coaches were sent off, but I think the referee was balanced.”
Mourinho took some strong decisions after the game against Bodo/Glimt as he sent five Roma players in the stands: Marash Kumbulla, Amadou Diawara, Riccardo Calafiori, Gonzalo Villar and Borja Mayoral.
“When you do crap like ours, the following game is always difficult from an emotional perspective,” said Mourinho.
“These are messages for the dressing room, that game will remain in my history and for me it’s difficult to forgive.
Roma return to the pitch on Wednesday in a home clash against Cagliari before hosting Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 31.
Do your homework before you publish a story – Calafiori was on the bench, not in the stand, it was Reynolds who got sent to the stand.
LOL getting the major details wrong, publishing gossip scandals such as Wanda more than football related news, Haberdashery with basic grammar in the articles. How low have FI sunken.
Milanocentric FI as always.