Jose Mourinho insists Roma ‘had more chances’ than Real Betis and at least deserved a draw, but now their Europa League target must be second place in the group. ‘I didn’t see, but Nicolò Zaniolo certainly did something’ to get sent off.
The Giallorossi had taken the lead through Paulo Dybala’s penalty, but a Guido Rodriguez daisy-cutter and late Luiz Henrique towering header turned it around completely.
To complete the disastrous evening, Zaniolo got himself sent off for a petulant and entirely pointless kick at an opponent off the ball, which was spotted by the assistant referee even before VAR.
“Betis had more technical quality, especially in the first half, yet we had more chances and that is the contradiction of the game that hurts us, because we had the opportunities to score,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is easy to recognise they are a team with an elevated quality on the ball that caused us problems in the first half, but after that, the chances were all ours. Zaniolo hit the woodwork, Bravo made a save, we wasted two incredible chances, especially with Cristante.
“I thought a draw would’ve been the logical result and Betis were very happy to score a goal at the end.”
On the winning goal, Luiz Henrique was allowed to jump relatively undisturbed, as Leonardo Spinazzola seemed to assume the cross was going past them.
“We are talking about a tired team, one that is trying to win, Matic was able to press and Spinazzola could not, so they found the space at the back. I think it was an error that came from fatigue.
“It hurts, because although it was not a great performance, the team did not deserve to lose.”
When asked to comment on the Zaniolo red card for his kick at an opponent off the ball, Mourinho pleaded ignorance.
“I did not see, the assistant was there and saw. It is a shame he didn’t see the yellow card for Pezzella, who should’ve been sent off. I didn’t see, but Zaniolo certainly did something.”
This means Roma have lost two of their three Europa League games and are now third in the group, as Real Betis have nine points, Ludogorets four and the Italians three.
“I think at this moment finishing top is not the objective, Betis have nine points, they will play Helsinki at home. So now the objective is to finish second, even with the risk of facing a team that drops from the Champions League in the play-offs.
“I still prefer to continue in the competition rather than finish third and go into the Conference League, so that is the objective.”
This is a shock result because Roma had been unbeaten at the Stadio Olimpico in this tournament since February 2017, 1-0 to another Spanish side Villarreal.
It ends a run of 13 consecutive Europa League home games without defeat.
clown
Give Zaniolo a new contract. At least 6 Mil a year. What a bluff this guy is. 0 numbers.
Mou can draw in the big names, but his coaching sucks. Other coaches would be killing it with Roma‘s line up
couldn’t agree more Franco – Mou should be almost a CT, attract players, describe intent, then leave it to de zerbi, italiano, sottil, [gasp!] gasperini to measure it out on the field with the players
Roma playing hard game instead of smart game.
Camara and other younger players need more game time than Matic.
I feel almost frustrated. Romas has so great roster at the moment, but the scoring is still missing.