Serie A: Mourinho challenges red card conspiracy
Roma coach Jose Mourinho silenced rumours that he intentionally received a red card to avoid facing Inter, affirming that he wants to be with his squad.
The 60-year-old Portuguese coach was sent off in the dying minutes of the Giallorossi’s win over Monza on the weekend after doing a crying gesture to the Biancorossi bench, receiving a quick red card.
Rumours quickly began to circulate online that Mourinho intentionally got sent off in order to avoid having to travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for Roma’s next league match against his former club Inter, whom he guided to the Treble back in 2010.
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Speaking to Sky Sports Italia via TMW, Mourinho first looked ahead to Roma’s Europa League clash with Slavia Prague.
“We had an excellent reaction after the defeat in Genoa, with four victories. The last one without playing well and without deserving much, but the match showed that the team has confidence.
“The fans kept the team in the game until the end, they were fundamental. The one we will face tomorrow is the strongest team in the group, we are both on six points. Last year we worked hard to finish second.”
He touched on the dangers posed by the Giallorossi’s opponents.
“They are very good in the offensive phase, the three defenders build the game well. When a team always win and plays for titles, they create a positive state. They play to win and have confidence.”
The Portuguese coach commented on his squad choices.
“We’re not Inter, we can’t make a turnover of five players like they did in the Champions League. We can’t, we’re in difficulty but we always find solutions. Tomorrow we’ll have five kids on the bench and we can’t make a turnover.”
Mourinho was asked about his red card and suspension for the match against Inter.
“Many idiots have said things that only an idiot can say. Even more idiotic is that some from the world of football say it. I am the coach of Roma, I want to be with my team.
“Unfortunately, what happened in last minute of the match against Monza happened. The thing that I regret is that I won’t be able to be with my players.
“I don’t know whether I deserve the red card or not, but it must be the same for everyone. I’ve seen other coaches make the same gesture as me, others did it even worse, but for me it’s always the same story.
“I had a correct attitude all season, now I’ve been sent off. If it’s for me, however, it must be for everyone.”
He discussed the difficulties of facing Inter on the weekend.
“We will play against a team that in my opinion should win the season with a 20-point lead. To play with them we will have to be at the highest level. We will try, we will go there to play, but first there is tomorrow, and it will be tough.”
Mourinho also spoke about Romelu Lukaku and if he’d play against Inter in a press conference.
“Lukaku will play. It’s a very difficult, important match, he is important for us, especially without Dybala and Pellegrini. Lukaku must play. I didn’t know he was so important in Milan, because what he did, winning the Scudetto, two cups, 200 players in Inter have won a super cup.
“Afterwards it is interesting to understand why if Lukaku goes from Inter to Roma to help his coach it is a drama, while in the past Cannavaro went from Inter to Juve without problems. Vieri no problem, Romelu at Roma is a surprise because I didn’t think he would be in the hearts of the Inter fans.”