Interviews

Mario Balotelli defends Mourinho amid criticism from media

FC Sion's Italian forward Mario Balotelli looks on after winning 2-1 the Swiss Super League football match FC Sion against FC Basel at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion, on September 3, 2022. - Balotelli signed on August 31, 2022 a two-year contract with Swiss side FC Sion, the 11th club of his career. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Andy Mattioli
I

Mario Balotelli spoke out in defense of Jose Mourinho who was recently criticized for Roma’s poor start to the season.

As the Special One enters his third year in the Italian capital, ex-Inter attacker Mario Balotelli defended the Portuguese technician in a recent interview with TvPlay.

“Mourinho has never been a coach with a great stylistic gameplan,” said Balotelli. “He is more charismatic, he gives you competitive grit and malice. He has his own ideas about the game, but he’s not too keen on tactics.”

“He has a nice side to his personality. He is unique in that he used to make me laugh out loud from time to time. There were also clashes between him and the team, but he motivated you like no one else.”

“He brought out the best and the worst in you. The Inter team I played for was a squad of 25 phenomenal players. Mourinho arrived at Roma and won the Conference League, but he is a coach who always wins. And it’s something you have to have inside. You can’t always attack Mourinho: he is unassailable. Roberto Mancini also had a similar squad at Inter, just as talented, but he didn’t win like Mou.”

Match Center

MatchDay 10
31 Oct 21:45
ROM
TOR
TOR