Jose Mourinho explains how Roma turned Lecce around with two goals in stoppages by creating ‘some positive chaos’ and helping Romelu Lukaku ‘sleep easier tonight.’
It was an extraordinary night at the Stadio Olimpico, as Lukaku saw a penalty saved by Wladimiro Falcone in the opening minutes, then Pontus Almqvist gave Lecce the surprise lead on the counter-attack.
Just as it seemed as if this would end in an upset, the Giallorossi scored twice in stoppages with Sardar Azmoun and Lukaku to turn it around for the 2-1 victory.
As they were waiting for the final whistle, Mourinho was clinging to substituted Houssem Aouar.
“I wanted to speak to the players, because the game was not over, the team was unbalanced. We went back to the old philosophy, if you lose 1-0 or 10-0 it makes no difference,” Mou told DAZN.
“We finished with five strikers on the pitch and Belotti as a right-wing-back. The lads were extraordinary, the fans were extraordinary, because usually a team losing in stoppages at home does not warrant this level of passion from the crowd.
“The first half could’ve been on our side, if not put to bed, but they showed heart to fight back and respond to this situation.
“I said Lecce were well-organised with super fast strikers on the counter, they confirmed that. I feel bad for them, because they had an extraordinary game.
“I also feel bad for Falcone, who is a big Roma fan, but every time he faces us, he saves practically everything.”
Lukaku had never missed a penalty before in Serie A, converting 14 out of 14, but was denied by Falcone in the opening minutes.
“It is his first miss in Italy, but his second with me, as I remember the European Supercup with Chelsea. Still, only whoever takes a penalty can risk missing it. Dybala did not feel ready to take set plays and we had utmost faith in Romelu,” explained the coach.
“I know him better than anyone, Lukaku is a very, very emotionally sensitive man and when he misses an early penalty, it hurts his heart for the rest of the game. This is why scoring the last-minute winner could not be better, as it will help Romelu sleep better tonight and wake up with a smile.”
These comebacks are a feature for Mourinho, as his Serie A teams have scored 26 goals beyond the 90th minute, conceding only three in the same period.
“I describe it has heart, mentality and this connection with the fans. I have trained six or seven clubs, I don’t remember ever being in a situation where the fans keep pushing you on when losing at home.
“I made changes as the coach and tried to create a little positive chaos, but the truth is that Lecce could easily have scored more goals and won too. It was a crazy game.”
Dybala made his comeback after a month out and was expected to only play an hour, but lasted the whole game and even provided the decisive assist.
“I was surprised too! He did some great things, Paulo is important for us, but I think today we saw Paulo fuelled by passion and helping a team that was struggling. He did too much really, but I told him it is best he remains here and does not travel to Prague. He replied, no, I want to travel and play!”
This was their sixth win in the last seven competitive matches, falling only to Inter.
A big week is coming up, as Roma visit Slavia Prague in the Europa League and then face rivals Lazio in the Serie A Derby della Capitale.
“I don’t think it is normal that so many teams at the top of the table drop points this weekend. Lazio, Milan, Atalanta, someone between Juventus and Fiorentina will all drop points. This is unusual and we could not drop points too. Now we are a little closer to those teams whose objectives are higher up the table.”
“I don’t remember ever being in a situation where the fans keep pushing you on when losing at home”
Absolute waffle