Jose Mourinho saw a ‘different attitude and intensity’ from Roma to turn Ludogorets around, but warns they need to ‘do much better than this’ in the Europa League play-off against the ‘failed Champions League sharks.’

The Giallorossi needed a victory to be sure of qualification for the Europa League play-offs and were trailing 1-0 at the break, jeered off the field by angry fans, but turned it all around.

Nicolò Zaniolo came off the bench, winning two penalties converted by Lorenzo Pellegrini and scoring the third himself for a 3-1 victory, although Ludogorets also had a goal controversially disallowed at 2-2.

“It was a really difficult game. Ludogorets know how to play, they have people with creativity, pace, who can do what they did in Bulgaria when we lost and today on the first goal,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.

The coach made a triple substitution at the break, introducing Zaniolo, Cristian Volpato and Bryan Cristante.

“In the second half, we came on with a different attitude and intensity. Nicolò and Cris obviously gave us something different, as it’s not the same to face strikers like Tammy and Belotti.

“We turned it around, but we have got to play better, we are now up against the sharks who come down from the Champions League and need to do better all around than this.”

The ‘sharks’ refers to a quote Mourinho made in a press conference last month where he said the ‘failed sharks of the Champions League’ would enter the Europa League from the play-offs round.

While Maurizio Sarri rotated the squad ahead of Sunday’s Derby della Capitale and saw Lazio crash out of the Europa League with a 1-0 defeat away to Feyenoord, Roma stuck with their best available side.

“Continuing in the Europa League was a matter of pride. It wouldn’t have been our objective going into the Conference League as one of the favourites. We know it is difficult now, that we don’t have the right squad to get a celebration like we did last season, that the sharks are coming, but the way I see it is the next game is always the most important.

“I would not dream of leaving players out to rest for the derby and risk elimination this evening. We achieved our target, we go home happy, then we might be tired for Sunday, but these are all games we want to play.”

The jeers at the half-time break stuck with Mourinho, who rushed to defend defender Matias Vina.

“I must say one thing that disappoints me and makes me feel is unjust. There ought to be more respect for Vina. He is a different player when away from home, there is grumbling in the stadium that doesn’t help him.”

It was another good performance from Volpato, after the Australian teenager scored his debut Serie A goal to beat Verona on Monday evening.

“Volpato’s next step will be to play when the team needs to defend too. So far, he hasn’t learned that yet. He is very attacking, very creative and has all my faith in that role, but when we lose the ball and have to defend, it’s tougher for him then.

“If we use players who are not prepared or we do it just for the statistics, to tell the world we use young players, that is pointless. We do it when they are ready and to help them to grow.

“Volpato creates a lot, he can be a little anarchic and erratic, but that creates anarchy in the opposition defence. He still needs to learn how to play when he’s out of possession and we needed to close the gaps after going 2-1 up, and doubling up marking is something that is not yet in Volpato’s vocabulary!

“I have been a coach for over 20 years, so seeing young players emerge and go on to great things is what makes me smile. Players like Varane, Casemiro, went on to great things after having their debuts with me.”

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