Jose Mourinho is full of praise for his Roma squad and staff, from Andrea Belotti’s work-rate to the tactical analysts, after they beat RB Salzburg to reach the Europa League last 16.
The Giallorossi needed to overturn an unlucky 1-0 first leg defeat in Austria, and felt fortune had turned against them once more when Paulo Dybala’s effort came off the crossbar.
However, Belotti’s unorthodox diving header and Dybala’s volley off the inside of the left boot both made the most of Leonardo Spinazzola assists to turn it around for a 2-0 win on the night, 2-1 on aggregate.
“It was a wonderful Roma that earned an important result, but also a complete performance on all levels. Once again, this was a team, a united group with solidarity, empathy, I liked all of it,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
“I also have to say my staff did a fantastic job. I always say the coaches take credit for the work done by a whole staff, and our analysts did a really exhaustive job helping us to prepare and be ready for this match.”
Mourinho also wanted to single out a player who did not start the match, Stephan El Shaarawy, after it had been reported Tammy Abraham would play with a protective mask for that eye injury.
“I want to thank El Shaarawy, who had to be sacrificed, because he had to be my Plan B. If he started, I did not have a Plan B. Tammy couldn’t play long, Solbakken was unavailable, so I needed him to come on and change the pace, provide dynamism and has been playing so well recently. I feel bad for him, but this shows how we work together. I explained it, he accepted, and I am so happy with this tesam spirit.
“It was a victory against a team coming from the Champions League that is absolutely packed with quality.”
Spinazzola provided a pair of assists and is starting to look like the player Italy admired so much at EURO 2020, before tearing his Achilles tendon.
“Spinazzola was fantastic tonight, but it is easier for a player to do well when the team is working like that. My only concern today was the result, as it was 2-0 and we could’ve scored more. We ran zero risks at the back, we were in complete control, the fans understood the dynamics of the game. Gini Wijnaldum came on and is starting to show the difference his quality makes.”
When Belotti was substituted in the final minutes, the former Torino striker received a standing ovation from the Stadio Olimpico crowd, a real difference from the way he had been greeted so far this season.
“Absolutely deserved. There are some strikers who if they don’t score, they do nothing. Belotti is an incredible worker, he works so hard for the team and we are all super happy to see the stadium recognise the effort that Il Gallo put in.”
The draw for the Round of 16 on Friday will see Roma up against one of the Europa League group stage winners, with Arsenal probably the team they are most eager to avoid.
Feyenoord would be an intriguing draw, allowing them to replicate last season’s Conference League Final.
“Italian football is doing well, Fiorentina, Lazio, Juventus, Roma, we all progressed to the Round of 16. Inter, Napoli and Milan have the advantage in their Champions League ties. Napoli have a foot and a half in the next round, Inter and Milan one foot. It’s good!”