Jose Mourinho was not keen to discuss ‘one bad episode’ ahead of Roma’s Europa Conference League clash against Bodo/Glimt tomorrow.
The Norwegian club allege that Giallorossi goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos physically assaulted head coach Kjetil Knutsen following the full time whistle of Bodo/Glimt’s 2-1 win. UEFA responded by suspending both Knutsen and Nuno Santos for tomorrow’s match.
Speaking in a press conference, Mourinho first discussed Leonardo Spinazzola and his confidence ahead of tomorrow’s second leg, as well as making a sarcastic comment about the 2-1 win over Salernitana.
“Spinazzola is not yet able to start a game, but we are all. Bodø have quality, they’re starting 2-1 but it’s nothing new.
“On Sunday we lost 1-0 against Salernitana, we have 90 minutes to win. It will be difficult but we are prepared and I am very confident in my team.”
He did not think that there was too much tension surrounding tomorrow’s duel.
“I haven’t seen my players tense. The first defeat was historic for the club, but we had an exemplary behaviour about it, we had fair-play. Usually, a person reacts in a negative way while we reacted with honour despite the humiliation.
“We played two more games with them, there were no difficulties and what happened last Thursday is out of context. The game and the end of the game was normal, after 45 minutes everything was normal, there was only one bad episode but it was isolated.
“We want the semi-final like they do, I expect a great game with the advantage of having our own stadium, with our own fans who can make the difference.
“We want to play football like we did in the other games and in the one we lost 6-1 we were exemplary. May the best team win, I am convinced that we are the best.”
The former Chelsea coach spoke about the importance of substitutes in European clashes.
“The bench is very very important, I think exactly the opposite of what I thought in times of difficulty. We had few solutions, today instead we have 4-5-6 players with a lot of experience as starters and with quality.
“With Salernitana, who were very defensive, we needed other tactical solutions and freshness, without that bench it would have been impossible to win the game. Tomorrow there are 5-6 changes to be made and if we get there it will mean that only five will play 120 minutes.
“On the ‘exaggerated’ bench, I go to one of the oldest principles of propaganda, a lie that you keep repeating eventually passes as a truth. But it remains a lie.”
Mourinho did not think that a dramatic comeback was needed at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We lost by a small margin, it’s 2-1 to them, we don’t need to make a dramatic comeback. We need to score a goal to even the score, there wasn’t even time to prepare something totally different.
“There are no tactical surprises to be presented, at the end of the first half of the match against Salernitana I told the lads to stay calm because we were one goal down and we had 45 minutes, now we have 90 minutes.
“We’ve trained penalties, but we don’t want to go to penalties. They have a good team and we have to respect them.”
The Portuguese coach commented on how it felt to have so much fan support.
“I was impressed even when there was only 50% of the capacity to see people in the streets watching us on the journey between Trigoria and the Olimpico. I’m always impressed by people’s passion for their club.
“Now that we have the chance to play in full capacity, even though we’re not playing for the Scudetto, it’s great to see that passion. The players have to respond and feel the responsibility, that’s pure passion. Mancini? He’s fine, he’ll be available.”
He did not want to discuss Bodo/Glimt’s claims that the Roma bench started the clash between Nuno Santos and Knutsen.
“I don’t think about it, UEFA thinks about it. I don’t decide, UEFA decides.”
Mourinho had a simple answer when asked if something could have been done differently.
“Of course.”
He also had no interest in responding to Knutsen’s claims that Bodo/Glimt have already won the tie.
“I have nothing to say.”
The Roma coach had no thoughts about the infamous video showing what happened in the tunnel.
“None.”
Finally, Mourinho refused to rise to suggestions that the last match against Bodo/Glimt was psychological.
“I don’t talk about other people’s comments, if you want to ask me another question, ask it.”
#Mourinho: 'Siamo più forti del #BodoGlimt e abbiamo mostrato un fair play esemplare. Su #Knusten…' #ASRoma https://t.co/lIoiEyhdgy pic.twitter.com/FqsA707wx1
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) April 13, 2022