Jose Mourinho was frustrated after Roma’s tough 1-1 draw with Sampdoria this evening.
The Giallorossi took the lead in the 72nd minute thanks to Eldor Shomurodov but their smile faded after Manolo Gabbiadini netted an equaliser for the Ligurian side eight minutes later.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference after the draw, Mourinho spoke about what was missing from Roma’s performance, saying ‘in the first half there were difficulties at all levels. The team didn’t concentrate to the maximum, it was difficult to catch the highest lines, lost balls, little initiative. Only Zaniolo played with intensity and responsiveness.
‘The second half was better, more intense, more pressing, we changed Mkhitaryan’s position, we created, we scored, we could have scored sooner or later. It’s very difficult to play against a team that doesn’t want to play, who did well to take their point, but for the game it’s our fault for lack of quality and their fault for attitude.’
He discussed the physical condition of English striker Tammy Abraham, who was forced off the pitch in the 47th minute due to an injury, noting that ’I only saw blood, nothing more. He couldn’t walk, in the second half we risked a bit because we lost a substitution. I don’t think it’s serious, but he’s definitely not well.’
Mourinho did not seem impressed with Sampdoria’s game plan and performance. ‘Sampdoria had possession in their own half, they brought down a lot of players in the build-up phase. They didn’t create danger, but they tried to make us stretch and make us lose compactness. They created instability for us, then in the second half we changed positions and attitude.’ He concluded.
Roma’s draw means that Juventus have leapfrogged them in the league table, dropping the Giallorossi to 6th. The Roman side now sit six points behind 4th place Atalanta heading into the Christmas break. Their next game is away to title challengers Milan on January 6, a tough start to the second half of the season.
#Roma, #Mourinho: “Partita bruttissima, ma meritavamo di vincere” 📢 https://t.co/PupaJzVpTC
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) December 22, 2021