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Mourinho applauds Roma’s Europa League victory: “We were beautiful tonight.”

Andy Mattioli
I

Jose Mourinho was proud of his team’s winning effort in tonight’s return leg with RB Salzburg at the Stadio Olimpico.

In his post-match reaction, the Portuguese technician applauded his men for an organized team performance to guarantee a comfortable 2-0 win.

“Tonight we saw a beautiful Roma achieve an important result,” he told Sky Sport after the game. “It was a complete performance. We played as a group, with empathy and solidarity.”

“I liked everything about tonight, but I can’t help but say that my staff did a fantastic job. We coaches are the end product of a lot of people’s work. My guys, the analysts, did a great job to help me prepare the team as best as possible.”

“I also want to mention El Shaarawy who was sacrificed tonight and did not play as much as he’d hoped to play. Had I started him I wouldn’t have had a plan B. Tammy wasn’t ready, and Solbakken wasn’t on the bench. Therefore, El Shaarawy was the only man I could count on to come on and eventually change gameplan and formation as well as the intensity in the final 20 or 30 minutes.”

“I’m sorry he could not play more. He’s had a fantastic month and is playing at a very high level but this also shows how close we are with each other. I explained it to him and he accepted. I’m very happy with this team spirit.”

“Tonight was very important. We beat a Champions League caliber opponent,” he added.

“Belotti? His goal was very well deserved. There are strikers who do nothing for the team when they can’t score. Belotti is not one of them. He works incredibly hard for the team. He’s one of the most hard-working players I’ve ever coached. We’re all grateful for the work he does for us. The applause from the fans was super deserved. He’s been immense.”

“Spinazzola was also fantastic tonight,” he continued. “But it’s also easier to do well when the whole plays this well. Tonight we never risked of losing control. We dominated all the way.”

“Wijnaldum? He’s getting closer. You can tell that as soon as he comes on the whole music changes in terms of quality and experience.”

Match Center

MatchDay 30
1 Apr 17:00
Lecce
LEC
Roma