José Mourinho hopes Paulo Dybala will make it for the bench in the Europa League Final against Sevilla next week and admits Tottenham is the ‘only club’ he doesn’t have a big feeling for.

The Special One spoke at a press conference during a media day organised by UEFA at Trigoria on Thursday, six days before a Europa League Final with Sevilla.

The Giallorossi will face Fiorentina away on Saturday before starting to prepare for the big game in Budapest.

“Saturday’s game is the most complicated. I can’t take risks with some players because they have some problems,” admitted Mourinho as quoted by TMW.

“To play with a team of kids, however, is an exaggerated risk and is not positive either. Fiorentina have 25 players of the same level. The ideal solution would be not to play it and prepare for the Final from today. When we are back here on Sunday, it will be easier to have motivated and happy people.

“My only focus is on the Final,” he continued.

“Fiorentina a little bit, but more the Final. It’s all secondary when you play a Final. There are reasons to be optimistic, we just want to play. We’ve given so much to be here and we want to play it. I only care about the Final.”

Mourinho has been strongly backed by Roma fans during his two-year stay in the Capital. He led the team to their first major European trophy by winning the Conference League last season and he’s now qualified for the UEL Final. When asked about his bond with the club, he replied: “I hope my words are not misinterpreted, but the only club in my career I don’t still have a big feeling for is Tottenham.

“In all other clubs, there has always been a solid bond because people are not stupid. It’s not about winning or losing. Fans understand that I fight for them every day. In my case, I am Romaista, Madridista and Interista and it’s a mutual thing. I will forever be tied to Roma and the other clubs I’ve coached.

“I’ve become a better person and coach, but the DNA is the same. I want the pleasure of playing this Final, remembering our path,” he added.

Dybala didn’t train on the pitch on Thursday and is a doubt for Wednesday’s match with Sevilla.

“I don’t think he can play. Honestly, I hope he can make it for the bench. It’s the last game of the season even if after that we have Spezia,” claimed Mourinho.

“But for Paulo, it would be the last game. I’d be happy if Paulo could go on the bench and play 15 or 20 minutes. Spinazzola and Karsodrp have trained separately, Dybala is still with the doctors.”

The Argentinean had suffered an ankle injury at the end of April in an away game at Atalanta but then made two appearances against Inter and Bayer Leverkusen, coming off the bench as a substitute.

“We tried to use Dybala, I thought he could play 45 minutes against Salernitana or Bologna,” admitted Mourinho.

“We are trying to do everything, but the truth is that he’s out. He won’t be there on Saturday, Pellegrini too, but surely he will be there on Wednesday.”

Multiple reports claim the Special One will leave the Capital in the summer, but Mou refused to provide updates on his future.

“I don’t like to speak before games, I like to play. Unfortunately, we can’t play a final every week. I am not thinking about myself. We want to play and we’ll be there on Wednesday,” he concluded.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector