Mourinho criticises Roma's 'superficial approach'

Published on: 01 December 2023

Jose Mourinho has been in charge of Roma since May 2021

Roma boss Jose Mourinho accused his players of taking a "superficial approach" to their 1-1 Europa League draw against Servette.

Romelu Lukaku gave the Italian side the lead in the first half but Chris Bedia levelled after the break in Geneva.

It leaves Roma in second place, two points behind leaders Slavia Prague.

"It seems that some people who don't have much European experience play these games somewhat superficially," said Mourinho.

"I really don't understand. I've played 150 matches in the Champions League that are much more 'important' than this and my motivation for these matches is sky-high.

"It's always the same lads who stay focused for 90 minutes and I don't need to name them. Then there are people who have a bit of a superficial approach in this type of game."

Roma need to beat Sheriff Tiraspol in their final group game and hope Slavia Prague do not beat Servette if they are to have a chance of winning the group and qualifying automatically for the last 16, with second place meaning a play-off against a side dropping down from the Champions League.

Mourinho says being in the play-offs would not be a "disaster" but accused his players of missing an opportunity to take all three points in Switzerland.

"I'm not going to make a drama out of this second place. I think it's more of a drama that some people wasted an opportunity by playing with the same attitude we keep seeing, especially at the start of the second half when we're in the lead," added the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss.

"There's nothing to pay. [Manchester City boss Pep] Guardiola can make people pay for these things. If he's not happy with someone, he says goodbye and brings in another. It's not a problem. We don't have that option here. Here we have a coach who has to keep hammering it in, working day after day trying to get the best out of these players.

"I'll say it again: we have a fantastic squad, good people, professional people who love Roma and want to do well. This is more about the DNA, about your comfort zone."

    Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsServette

Formation 4-4-2

32Frick3Tsunemoto4Rouiller19Severin6Baron9Stevanovic8Cognat5Ondoua77Bolla17Kutesa29Bedia

    32Frick3Tsunemoto4RouillerBooked at 84mins19Severin6BaronSubstituted forVouillozat 90+6'minutes9Stevanovic8CognatBooked at 44minsSubstituted forDibaat 81'minutes5Ondoua77BollaSubstituted forAntunesat 68'minutesBooked at 75mins17KutesaSubstituted forGuillemenotat 68'minutes29BediaSubstituted forTouatiat 81'minutes

Substitutes

    10Antunes20Magnin21Guillemenot30Diba31Ouattara33Vouilloz40Aubert44Besson45Touati

Roma

Formation 3-5-2

99Svilar14Llorente4Cristante5Ndicka19Çelik52Bove16Paredes22Aouar92El Shaarawy21Dybala90Lukaku

    99Svilar14Llorente4CristanteBooked at 66mins5NdickaBooked at 90mins19Çelik52BoveSubstituted forBelottiat 81'minutesBooked at 90mins16Paredes22AouarSubstituted forPellegriniat 55'minutes92El ShaarawySubstituted forSpinazzolaat 74'minutes21DybalaSubstituted forRenato Sanchesat 81'minutes90Lukaku

Substitutes

    1Rui Patrício2Karsdorp7Pellegrini11Belotti20Renato Sanches23Mancini37Spinazzola59Zalewski60Pagano61Pisilli63Boer64Cherubini

Referee:Daniel StefanskiMatch StatsHome TeamServetteAway TeamRomaPossessionHome39%Away61%ShotsHome13Away13Shots on TargetHome6Away2CornersHome4Away3FoulsHome17Away19Live Text Post update

Match ends, Servette 1, Roma 1.

90'+7'Full Time

Second Half ends, Servette 1, Roma 1.

90'+7'Post update

Andrea Belotti (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+7'Post update

Foul by Steve Rouiller (Servette).

90'+6'Substitution

Substitution, Servette. Nicolas Vouilloz replaces Anthony Baron because of an injury.

90'+6'Booking

Andrea Belotti (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

90'+6'Post update

Foul by Andrea Belotti (Roma).

90'+6'Post update

Keigo Tsunemoto (Servette) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+5'Post update

Attempt missed. Diego Llorente (Roma) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.

90'+5'Post update

Corner, Roma. Conceded by Anthony Baron.

90'+3'Post update

Foul by Diego Llorente (Roma).

90'+3'Post update

Alexis Antunes (Servette) wins a free kick on the left wing.

90'+2'Post update

Attempt missed. Samba Diba (Servette) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

90'+1'Booking

Evan Ndicka (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

90'+1'Post update

Foul by Evan Ndicka (Roma).

90'+1'Post update

Jérémy Guillemenot (Servette) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'Post update

Foul by Renato Sanches (Roma).

90'Post update

Alexis Antunes (Servette) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

89'Post update

Andrea Belotti (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

89'Post update

Foul by Yoan Severin (Servette).

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Source: bbc.com