One of Mourinho’s most trusted men on the roster – Nemanja Matić – has integrated with the rest of the team smoothly and mastered the Italian language before the start of the new season.
The Serbian midfielder is now ready to play consistently for a side which is bound to value his defensive prowess and physicality in the middle of the pitch, providing Roma’s backline with much needed stability and balance.
On Sunday, the 34-year-old veteran is expected to start alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini. However, Corriere della Sera reports that due to his age, Nemanja Matić will be alternating with Bryan Cristante in Roma’s midfield pivot.
Jose Mourinho is trying out in training various midfield combinations including Wijnaldum and Cristante, Pellegrini and Wijnaldum, and so on.
Nonetheless, Matić remains pivotal in Mourinho’s hierarchy and the Special One will rely on him considerably this coming season.