Jose Mourinho insists Roma will be fired up rather than intimidated by the Real Sociedad crowd, while trying to put the derby with Lazio out of their minds for now. ‘We struggle with two competitions.’
The first leg ended 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to goals from Stephan El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla.
This gives them something to defend going to the Reale Arena on Thursday at 20.00 GMT.
Roma imposed a media silence other than these contractually obliged conferences, so refused to answer any questions about Mourinho’s two-match Serie A touchline ban for his row with fourth official Marco Serra, meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s Derby della Capitale against Lazio.
With comments from coach Imanol Alguacil warning Real Sociedad’s atmosphere would crash onto them like a wave in a tempest, Mou was impressed.
“These are respectful comments. He is firing up his players and the atmosphere, that is his job, he is a good coach on a technical level and is proving he is a good coach in the way he communicates with his people,” said Mourinho.
“This is the advantage of a team that plays the second leg at home, because it knows exactly what it needs and can set out the strategy. We have our strategy and obviously are confident.
“The Stadio Olimpico always gives us a perfect storm, but ultimately the teams play on the field. The only time I ever saw a stadium score a goal was in the Champions League semi-final in 2005, when the ball didn’t go in for Liverpool and it then went in down to the sheer force of the noise.
“Home advantage is real, but the fact is the crowd doesn’t play. In fact, a great atmosphere fires us up too. The COVID era was the real disaster, because it was hard to be fired up in an empty stadium.
“We are the Conference League holders, we are not afraid of their stadium. We are happy to meet a tempest in their stadium and I think we will play better with the ‘tempest’ around us.”
Considering the showdown with city rivals Lazio is coming up in Serie A this weekend, Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri might be tempted to rotate the squads for the Europa and Conference League on Thursday.
“My attitude is that the next match is always the most important in the season. I will pick the team that in my thoughts gives us the best chance of qualifying Roma for the quarter-final.
“We struggle a little to play in two competitions, which is normal. There are teams who had 24, 25, 26 players all basically at the same level of potential and experience, so it’s not a problem for them. There are teams in Europe who are capable of playing every two days.
“It is not the case for us. If there is an injury, suspension or fatigue, it is not easy. But they are always with me, I am always with them and as I said the most important match is tomorrow.”
Mourinho was asked if he will change a great deal from the first leg team that he set out.
“All I can confirm is Roger Ibanez will play, as he was suspended in the first leg.”