Interviews

Jose Mourinho previews Roma-Lecce

Roma's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho looks on prior to the Italian Serie A football match between AS Roma and AC Milan at the Olympic stadium in Rome on September 1, 2023. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Andy Mattioli
I

Roma manager Jose Mourinho sat down to preview Sunday’s Serie A fixture with Lecce.

The Portuguese technician addressed the media in his pre-match press conference earlier today.

“Lecce are a very strong team on the counterattack, quick on the flanks and have solutions off the bench to change the game and a good coach. They’re a tough team to face,” said the Special One of tomorrow’s opponent. “We will try to win tomorrow and climb in the league table.”

“Dybala and Sanches will be available although their form is not optimal. According to our medical staff they’re both risk-free and that’s what we need to hear at the moment.”

“Because that’s the reality of the situation – if other teams such as Milan, Inter, Fiorentina, Juventus or Atalanta are missing five starters they have no problems, but we don’t have five other players who are at the same level.”

“Our situation looks like this – there are players who are injured and others who have a long history of injuries. If most injuries are non-contact, the issue becomes more difficult for the medical staff to resolve.”

“Roma have such players – with a history of injuries – but I’m happy to work with them and I’m thankful whenever they’re available,” he added.

“After the match against Inter I didn’t have the feeling that I could have done better, we played a match in accordance with our potential. We were in the game until the last minute, with a bit of luck we would have made it 1-0 with Cristante’s header.”

“In Milan I left San Siro with a feeling of sadness because of how much effort the players showed: a team that was tired faced a team that was well-rested. We lost with a goal that shouldn’t have been conceded, we analyzed it well afterwards with the boys and hopefully it doesn’t happen anymore.”

“Why Kristensen played over Karsdorp versus Inter? These are decisions made out of necessity and to try to get the best from the team in the given moment.”

“The calendar? There are teams that have more potential and are better suited to play every game in the schedule, others have more difficulties. With 6 central defenders we could play every 3 days, if you have 4 which then becomes 3, or 2, everything is more difficult.”

“Some people don’t know what it means to play after 3 days, they don’t know what fatigue is. Or, and this would be more serious, they know it and pretend not to know it. If our club doesn’t ask this question with regards to the calendar and I always have to ask it, maybe I shouldn’t.”

“After European matches we are always the ones to be penalized by the schedule. The same will happen in the Derby. Lazio will have an advantage. Our ownership must make itself heard, and instead I’m always the one talking about it.”

“There is a reason as to why the fans whistle the Europa League and Lega Serie A anthem. They’re not idiots. They have a reason.”

Match Center

MatchDay 12
10 Nov 16:00
ROM
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