Jose Mourinho welcomes Chris Smalling’s new contract and prepares for Feyenoord by pointing out Roma ‘are not the best team in the Europa League, but we could still win it.’
The first leg of the quarter-final is in Rotterdam on Thursday at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT).
At the start of the press conference, the coach was asked about news Chris Smalling has agreed a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico and whether it would impact on his own future.
“Is it official? If that is the case, it will be very good for Smalling and for Roma. It means he is happy, has found a level of consistency he lacked in previous years, excellent for Roma as he has been performing fantastically in the last two years. I think it is the perfect marriage.
“I am me and Smalling is Smalling, they are not related.”
The Dutch team are the top scorers in the tournament so far this season, whereas the Giallorossi have built their progress on a strong defensive record.
“For tomorrow’s game, I really don’t know. Feyenoord are certainly the best team in their league, the numbers are clear and objective, so they will certainly take the title in a few weeks. When you are the strongest team, it means you score more than the others.
“We are not the best team in Italy, we are not the best team in the Europa League, but we can still win it. We play with the resources at our disposal and what we have is balance.
“This way of planning substitutions at the 60th minute or whatever is not our way of doing things. For example, against Torino from the way Dybala looked at me, I realised it was the time to change. I’d even say we decide as a squad rather than just me as a coach.”
Roma have stuttered in front of goal recently, especially as Tammy Abraham and Andrea Belotti have been firing blanks.
“They are both absolutely fine. Both became fathers recently, Tammy for the first time, Belotti the second, they are both truly happy lads. And I am happy to have them in the squad.
“You think they are unhappy because they didn’t play? They might not play tomorrow too and will still be happy. We’re all happy.”
A reunion of the sides who fought it out for the Conference League Final in Tirana last season, won 1-0 by Mourinho’s men, the fixture has been overshadowed by the row over visiting fans.
After the local authorities in Rome barred Dutch supporters from attending due to fears of crowd trouble, Feyenoord and UEFA responded by doing the same in Rotterdam.
“I am not capable of thinking about the Feyenoord side from Tirana. It seems for you that it is some sort of permanent status, but for me the only reason I think about that team is because the first thing I see when driving into the Trigoria ground is the Conference League trophy. Otherwise, it is in the past.
“Of course we are worried about them, because Roma are a humble team with a humble coach who respects opponents, who tries to know everything possible about them and reduce the unpredictability of the football match to a minimum, all with humility.
“I have analysed Feyenoord, they are a very good team, it’s hard to find weaknesses, they score lots of goals and have quality players, they are aggressive, know how to play direct too with the goalkeeper’s long ball, despite what some might say.
“We eliminated two quality teams, RB Salzburg and Real Sociedad, but Feyenoord are coming off a run of good results, will win the League in a few weeks and have extra confidence.”
The local journalists asked Mourinho whether he was concerned about the often hostile environment at the De Kuip stadium.
“If the hostile environment is outside, it’s disappointing, when people cannot come to the stadium in safety. That is a problem you need to resolve. On the pitch, no problem.”