Jose Mourinho complained about the referee after Roma went down to nine men in their 3-1 defeat to Milan, but admits the performance was ‘of such a low level.’
The Giallorossi were beaten at San Siro by an early Olivier Giroud penalty and Junior Messias strike, both gifted by defensive errors, and a Rafael Leao counter-attack.
Tammy Abraham had got one back and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stoppage-time penalty was saved.
“We were still in the game, even when 2-0 down, but when Rick Karsdorp was sent off, it was over,” Mourinho told DAZN and reporters in his press conference.
“Having said that, the performance was of such a low level. If you look at the two opening goals, we gave the ball away so cheaply. The quality was really lacking today. I didn’t like the referee or my team today.
“The quality was also lacking for the referee and the VAR. I saw Tammy move his arm, but it was not a voluntary gesture to stop the ball. If you give this as a penalty, then also give a penalty for the fouls on Zaniolo and Ibanez. Give all three or don’t give any of them.”
Karsdorp and Gianluca Mancini were sent off for second bookable offences, while Bryan Cristante was shown a yellow card for dissent and all three will be suspended against Juventus on Sunday.
“We want uniformity in decisions, this is why I think the quality level is low and we are unlucky with referees too. The referee didn’t have character today. VAR wanted to get involved, we are little, if VAR lets the game go…
“I understood everything perfectly well straight away. I’ve been at Roma for six, seven months, I’m getting used to it, but this isn’t something we should be getting used to. You can’t tell if Abraham touches the ball with his arm or not. How was the second Milan penalty different to the Zaniolo incident?
“Having said that, I won’t deny our performance was not good. This is a medium level squad, so we are mid-table, where we belong. We made a lot of mistakes today, it wasn’t a tactical issue, it was all individual errors.
“I don’t like to do this, but I have to say that I do not understand what the referee and VAR were doing today.
“At this moment, the result is the worst thing, because it brings us zero points, but when I leave my mind will already be on the next game and it’s going to be tough. We have some difficulties and will try to improve.”