Jose Mourinho has important Roma team news updates against Milan and warns if the vaccine mandate comes in, all players will be expected to ‘respect the law.’
It kicks off on Thursday at 17.30 GMT and the Giallorossi are missing Borja Mayoral and Daniel Fuzato with COVID-19, injured Leonardo Spinazzola, while Ebrima Darboe and Amadou Diawara are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
There were also reports that goalkeeper Rui Patricio could miss out on the match with back pain, but Mourinho assured during a press conference that he will be ready.
“Lorenzo Pellegrini has recovered and is ready to play, but not for 90 minutes. It’s probably better for us that we resume after a long break against Milan, because there’s no risk of lacking concentration or motivation,” said the coach.
“We analysed all the Milan games and obviously will try to play better and get an improved result on the last time we met.”
While some are calling for matches to be postponed due to growing COVID-19 cases, Mourinho sticks to the protocol.
“If a team is missing three or four players, that can happen, it doesn’t change the result. It would be an injustice to make a team play without a goalkeeper, but if they have the minimum number of players available, they have to play.”
There was controversy this week with reports at least one of the Roma first-team players was anti-vax and could not be convinced to take the vaccine.
However, if the Government decree comes into action from January 10, then only those vaccinated will be allowed into the locker room.
“These are private matters and players have the right to protect their privacy. A few players had COVID last week, they asked for privacy and we respected that.
“Rules are rules, the law is the law, and the moment the Italian Government makes a decision on a vaccine mandate, then it has to be respected. If a player could go without, we respected that, but if it’s the law then we want the players to respect the law so they can do their job and play football. I don’t think there will be any problems.”
It could be a battle of the centre-forwards between Tammy Abraham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I don’t like comparing players, especially if one is still trying to write his story. Let’s leave Tammy alone and not try to create comparisons with Ibra.”
Facing Milan is never like any other game for Mourinho, after he won the Treble at their arch-rivals Inter in 2010.
“We are professionals, but there are clubs you’d have to say no to, out of respect for those you worked with. After 2010, the first Italian club that contacted me was Roma and I could accept them, but not others. For example, I now could never train Lazio, nor have I had a problem with Milan, but I wouldn’t work there. It’s a matter of respect, and I expect they feel the same way about me.”
If you manage to win, then good for you, but please don’t cry if you lose again. I know you don’t want to because of your Inter past, but maybe have respect for the better opponent this time around.