Jose Mourinho admits Roma have a ‘huge problem’ with injuries going into the showdown with Milan and jokes he is ready to play, or recall Francesco Totti and Aldair, but also insists they ‘controlled’ the 3-1 defeat to Atalanta.
It was not how the Special One wanted his 100th match on the Giallorossi bench to go, not just because of the 3-1 defeat to Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium, but also as there were yet more injuries piling up.
Diego Llorente limped off in tears after a suspected hamstring strain in the final minutes, then Paulo Dybala was left barely able to put his left foot down after a rough Jose Luis Palomino tackle turned his ankle.
“I do not agree that we moved the ball too slowly. I think with our limitations, we had a very good performance. It is not possible to remove incidents from the game, as they can decide the result, but they really were individual incidents,” Mourinho told DAZN.
“We were in control in the first half, without creating much, but being in complete control. The opening goal was an incident, as a player lost the ball on the left, then Tammy should’ve just drawn a foul and finished the move there, but instead we stood there watching the ball and Pasalic scored.
“I saw no difference between the teams in the first half. I believe we did better in the second half and after the 2-1, I got the feeling we could turn it around. Another incident decided the match, but I am happy with my players.”
Less than a minute after Lorenzo Pellegrini scored to make it 2-1, Atalanta pounced on a howler from goalkeeper Rui Patricio to restore the two-goal cushion.
Roma are now joint fourth with Milan and they go head-to-head on Saturday evening in what could be a decisive clash and a decimated squad.
“If on Saturday I have to play, that’s not a problem. This is a united team, in difficult moments we are always together and I think the fans are also proud of this team,” continued Mou.
“We ended the match with nine men and still hit the upright, which would’ve been 3-2. It is very, very difficult for me to be critical of this squad. It plays within its limits. I don’t want to say today’s result is unjust, because mistakes are part of the game and you pay for those, but those who played and don’t usually play, those who came off the bench to help out, I am super satisfied with the lads.”
Pellegrini’s free kick thumping the upright was the 30th time this season that Roma have been denied by the frame of the goal, comfortably more than any other Italian club.
“Hitting the woodwork also means we created a situation. You don’t hit the woodwork 30 times if you don’t create chances. You can say we are unlucky or inefficient, whatever you want to choose.
“Injuries are due to the accumulation of matches. What we tried to do today was protect those players who the medical staff showed had more fatigue after Thursday’s game, specifically Leo (Spinazzola) and Nemanja (Matic).
“Those who played, Edoardo Bove, Ola Solbakken, were very positive and when we were in the thick of the game with all our best players, we conceded the third goal. But we all conceded it, them and me.”
Smalling’s absence was already a big loss, but with Llorente also now out, there are very few alternatives for the back three.
“I think every coach even in the richest clubs will have a problem when players are missing. For some teams it is a small problem, for us it is a huge problem. Smalling is Smalling, Diego was adapting very well and now he too is out. Obviously, it will be very tough for us.”
Francesco Totti was a guest on DAZN and spoke to Mourinho with encouraging words ahead of the Milan game and the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen.
“I am now even more certain than ever that with you at the helm we can go as far as possible, in the Champions and Europa League. We fans are always behind you cheering you on, because you deserve it.”
Mourinho replied with a joke about the shortage of players and hoped to bring some old glories back in.
“Thank you, we cannot perform miracles, but the ‘miracle’ is this empathy between the teams and all you fans. At the Olimpico or away, the people understand the principles of this match. Playing well or badly, win or lose, injuries or not, we always fight to the end.
“Perhaps we could do with you on Saturday, but I honestly need Aldair more than you!”