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Mourinho reacts to crucial victory against Samp, praises Zaniolo’s performance

Andy Mattioli

Jose Mourinho was over the moon with tonight’s three points given Roma’s increasingly positive position in the league table. The Portuguese technician praised his side’s effort and paid special compliments to Zaniolo who came on in the second half and provided the Giallorossi with a much needed spark.

“It is a very important and deserved victory,” Mourinho said in his post-match interview with DAZN.

“Sampdoria is team that I like very much, with a coach who is like a younger brother to me. I would like to come back here next season to play with them again, I don’t think they will be relegated to Serie B.”

“For us it is a very important victory after having played so many games and suffered so many injuries.,” Mourinho continued. “We have heart and unity. This was a game played with intelligence.”

“Then someone will think differently, just like some people said that we beat Inter because they were poor but then they beat Barcelona… we lost to Atalanta and they said that Atalanta is cynical. I realize it is hard to give credit where credit is due, the truth is that with all the problems we have we are doing our best, it is a well-deserved victory, perhaps we could have done with a little less suffering throughout the match.”

On Zaniolo, Mourinho commented, “I knew that Zaniolo was going to be devastating in the last 20-30 minutes, he just missed the goal tonight which would have been the cherry on top of a great performance.”

“I was delighted with Zaniolo tonight. Physically he was devastating and difficult for Samp to stop. Nicolò is always tough to handle for the opponent. He could have scored a goal and put us 2-0, same for Belotti. If the two of them score, the game ends right then and there.”

“A message to Spalletti and Napoli? I can only say, see you on Sunday,” the Special One concluded.

Match Center

MatchDay 15
7 Dec 21:45
Roma
Lecce
LEC