Jose Mourinho confirms Andrea Belotti wants to join Roma, praises Nicolò Zaniolo for his attitude and starts complaining about the fixture list ahead of tomorrow’s game with Cremonese.
It kicks off on Monday at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT) and the Stadio Olimpico is sold out, the ninth straight game in this arena to be packed to the rafters.
“It’s incredible and the passion of the fans is what is at the basis of everything,” said the coach in his press conference.
“I don’t see Cremonese as a side who came from Serie B, because they play with great organisation and the coach deserves a lot of praise. They know how to play and how to limit the characteristics of their opponents, they made important investments on the market.”
Mourinho is already complaining about the fixture list in a compressed season due to the break for the World Cup.
“Over two weeks we’ll be playing every two, three days. It’s a lovely present for us to play Monza just two days after the game with Juventus, so thanks very much for that,” he said sarcastically.
“It’s more difficult to win in Italy, as all the teams have strengthened, and that’s particularly bad news for those of us who want to finish higher than last season. We won the Conference League and it’s not that different to the Europa League, so we will give our all to win that too.”
The Special One was also accused of sending ‘signals’ to the Roma hierarchy by ending the win away to Salernitana with no recognisable strikers on the pitch.
They are waiting to sell Eldor Shomurodov or Felix Afena-Gyan before bringing in Belotti as a free agent.
The former Torino centre-forward has rejected numerous other proposals, including from Wolves and Galatasaray, because he has his heart set on the Giallorossi.
“The objective in Salerno was to win the game, not send a message to the club. At the same time, nobody can expect Felix or Shomurodov to be at the same level as the first-choice strikers. We do not have that privilege.
“Belotti is a free agent, so I am allowed to talk about him. What I say is this: if it’s true that he is so eager to join Roma, then I really like that feeling.”
There had been suggestions Zaniolo was on his way out, but over the last few days that has shifted to discussing a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
“Zaniolo looks very sharp and physically agile, as it’s not easy for a player like him to maintain that intensity for 90 minutes. He deserves the credit for training hard and having the right motivation.
“If he remains or not, that’s a question for the director, not for me. If you ask me, I’d love him to remain, obviously. He is an important player for us, a key piece of the puzzle to bring together all the characteristics of our players.”