Jose Mourinho is full of praise for Paulo Dybala, Tammy Abraham and Roger Ibanez after Roma’s 3-0 win over Monza, also revealing the message he had given to La Joya at Juventus last season.
The Giallorossi remain unbeaten, have conceded only one goal in four games and are at this moment top of the table after a 3-0 victory over Monza.
Dybala broke his duck with a brace in the first half, followed by a Roger Ibanez header on the Lorenzo Pellegrini corner.
Mourinho and Dybala were spotted giggling when the striker was substituted, so what did they say to each other?
“Last season, when Juventus played here at the Olimpico and he was substituted, I told him: ‘You’re very good, kid.’ So tonight I said the same thing. We smiled because we remembered he was already scoring in this stadium,” Mourinho explained to DAZN.
“You often get talent that is isolated within the team, but Paulo is a great talent who plays with and for the team. Even though he wasn’t built for this, he helps out in defence with extraordinary work.
“He has a history of injuries, but he’s improving now. I think this is a sign of what is to come in Qatar for the World Cup. Maybe Lionel Scaloni should send me a few bottles of wine, because he’s going to have a fantastic player at his disposal.”
After a pair of 1-0 wins and the 1-1 draw with Juventus, this was the first truly comfortable victory for Roma.
“It was a more difficult match than the result might suggest. Monza created problems for us with their possession, we had to press in a different way. Monza are a very interesting team, we kept our balance and we’re slowly getting there.
“I am glad people are talking about Ibanez, as he’s one of those lads who I can see has changed. He’s more calm on the ball, finds solutions for the pass, he doesn’t just automatically give it to the wing-back now.”
Mourinho was very critical of his men after the 1-1 draw at Juventus, saying he was ‘ashamed’ of his players and in particular singling out Tammy Abraham, so today he took a different tack.
“I also want to say that I liked the way Tammy Abraham played today, that was my Tammy tonight. Obviously, this is Paulo’s evening, but Tammy was fantastic.”