Jose Mourinho warns Roma that ‘there is no derby’ with Lazio on the horizon, as they must solely focus on Vitesse and the Conference League, recognising the away goals rule has ‘changed’ these ties.

The first leg of the Round of 16 ended 1-0 for the Giallorossi in the Netherlands and they will host Vitesse on Thursday evening.

There is the risk of distraction with the Derby della Capitale against arch rivals Lazio coming up on Sunday, but Mourinho is adamant there will be no lack of focus.

“The only game that interests us is Vitesse. There is no derby, there is no Lazio, there is no game on Sunday,” said the coach in his press conference.

“If we win or draw, then we are in the quarter-final. If we lose, then we are out.”

The abolition of the away goals rule has made a difference to the two-legged ties in Europe this season.

“I don’t know if it’s better or worse, but it has certainly changed the profile of the games. Ajax had a good draw in Lisbon, but then Benfica knew they didn’t need to score or be eliminated. They were able to have an attitude of control and not risk.

“Before, a team would have a score draw at home, knowing perfectly well they had the disadvantage going into the second leg.

“We need to see it that way, without thinking about the first leg result. We saw that as an independent match to be won, not drawing with a goal, or losing with a goal. Tomorrow a draw would be enough, but we’re not playing for a draw, we want to win.”

As always, Mourinho was a little combative with the journalists in the press conference, hitting out at them for being “critical of everyone, even a kid who is having his first Serie A start.”

When the coach was asked about the relative lack of goals from the strikers other than Tammy Abraham, he shrugged it off.

“Are these players who always scored lots of goals and have now stopped? It’s not like Robert Lewandowski has moved to Roma and now no longer scores! It’s not about quality, everyone has a different profile and characteristics.

“Why do you keep asking me if Nicolò Zaniolo needs to rest? There are others too, don’t you think Rui Patricio deserves a rest?”

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