Jose Mourinho admits he is ‘worried’ that Nicolò Zaniolo ‘will be out for a while,’ but not concerned at his Roma strikers after another 1-0 win sealed with a goal from a defender.

This was the second consecutive 1-0 victory in Serie A for the Giallorossi, both earned with goals from defenders, as Bryan Cristante decided the trip to Salernitana and Chris Smalling nodded in the corner against Cremonese.

Since Mourinho took over at the start of last season, it was Roma’s eighth 1-0 win in the league, more than any other club during that period in this competition.

“Congratulations to Cremonese, because in the first 20-25 minutes, we had the chances not only to score, but to kill off the game,” Mourinho told DAZN.

“We were up against a really impressive side that fought back. I also congratulate the referee, he had an excellent game.

“When you have all those chances and don’t score, I won’t say the fear sets in, but the pressure certainly does. Radu did well in goal for them, the pitch was a mess and we defended with concentration and quality.

“In the final 10-15 minutes, Cremonese were very dangerous on set plays, so these are three important points.”

It was a game overshadowed by Georginio Wijnaldum’s injury in training last night, suffering a fractured tibia, and today Zaniolo was stretchered off after falling awkwardly on his shoulder.

“Losing a fundamental player like Nicolò was tough, especially after two rather emotional days. He will be out for a while. I am worried, but crying won’t help. We make plans, then find ourselves in a situation where we lose two big players and there aren’t many options left. This is football, it happens.

“We won two games 1-0 with goals from defenders, but I am not worried, the goals will come for Nicolò, Paulo and Tammy.”

There are reports Roma will go back onto the market following the Wijnaldum injury, but Mourinho insists that’s not the only concern.

“The director and the owners know what I would like. The Wijnaldum and now Zaniolo problems are extra. We are all working together and will find the best solution.”

8 thought on “Mourinho: ‘Zaniolo out for a while, Roma make plans…’”
  1. Let me interest you in Moise Kean and Arthur double deal. Will solve your problems.

  2. @RDV Cristante is basically Defender Pellegrini is the one attacking Cristante stays back and tries to disrupt

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