Jose Mourinho fears the worst for Lorenzo Pellegrini’s injury and insists Roma are not more focused in the Europa League. ‘Every Serie A team is better than Servette and Sheriff.’
The Giallorossi took a while to get into the game, but a deflected Romelu Lukaku strike looped over the goalkeeper to break the deadlock.
They then ran riot after the restart, with Andrea Belotti bagging a brace around the Pellegrini volley for the 4-0 final result.
The coach continued his UEFA touchline ban and was watching from the stands of the Stadio Olimpico.
“The first half was horrible, I did not like it at all. I was in a very good position to see the game and did not like it at all,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
“We never pressed, there was a period where we were so passive that we allowed Servette to have the ball for a full minute, we didn’t have any movement off the ball either.
“After the break, we changed the attitude, tempo, aggression, we moved off the ball and looked much more confident on it. I liked the second half.”
Mou had said he did not like the use of Belotti and Lukaku together in a pair, but needs must when Paulo Dybala has to rest.
“I didn’t like anything about the first half, but obviously when we play with two strikers and no Paulo Dybala, we lack creativity and that bond with the midfield, as they are both pure strikers. They are two physical presences in the box, they can combine well and help our wing-backs get to the by-line, but it is different playing with or without Paulo.”
Pellegrini came on at half-time and was forced to limp off with yet another flexor issue after just 11 minutes on the field, having come on at half-time. Initial Sky Sport Italia reports suggest it might be a flexor issue.
“Unfortunately, he is a player with enormous potential, but has this long history of injuries that seem almost cyclical. I haven’t spoken to him or the medical staff yet, but seeing his body language it would seem to be muscular or a hamstring, and that is usually what happens,” shrugged Mourinho.
Renato Sanches is still out injured, while Houssem Aouar was substituted for Pellegrini at half-time. In the studio, former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi asked whether more midfield options are needed to change the inertia of their approach.
“I am not an a**-licker, but when Bergomi speaks, he speaks the truth,” replied Mourinho after a long pause.
“It is true. We have not yet found our solidity, because we do not have players working regularly or the team I thought I could see before the injuries. Renato Sanches played one game and was out. Paredes is our organisation and he is improving. Bove must improve his decision-making in short spaces, he is evolving.
“Cristante was for me the midfielder in the best form, but he has to play as a centre-back. Lorenzo Pellegrini is our creator, he is hurt too often. Aouar is the player who is truly struggling the most to understand what we are as a team and he needs to move towards us, we cannot move the team towards him.
“We need time, but there is no time when you need points.”
Roma and Slavia Prague top the group on six points after two games, leaving Sheriff Tiraspol and Servette rock bottom on zero.
With qualification to the next phase looking relatively safe, it now becomes a battle for that top spot, which means avoiding the play-offs in February.
Is there a difference between the Roma side seen in Europe and in Serie A?
“There is a difference in opposition. The Serie A teams are far tougher to play against than, with all due respect, Sheriff and Servette. We got six points, but that was to expected, as even with changes we are still a stronger team. All the Serie A sides are stronger than these two teams.
“Slavia Prague are a different situation, they are a very good team who could easily have been in the Champions League. When you face Servette and Sheriff, you are obliged to get 12 points from four games.”