Years pass, but Josè Mourinho always remains the same: direct, sincere, pragmatic and even a little bold.
The Special One is ready for Thursday's debut in the Conference League against Trabzonspor, in the first official match of an Italian in Europe.
"I'm ready," says the Portuguese coach, upping the ante.
"I'm prepared, I don't like friendlies, I want to play real games", the Giallorossi coach told the club's channels, then alternating caresses and compliments with more frank and decisive passages that bring everyone back to reality.
Like when he talks about the market, incomplete in some ways, but still satisfying.
"We had planned it differently - he explained - then unpredictable factors took over such as Spinazzola's injury and Dzeko's farewell, which surprised us because we thought we would start the season with him. Now something will be missing compared to what I initially thought. but I can only thank Roma anyway ". The references in this case are two in particular: the first is the arrival of Tammy Abraham, for whom he thanks the owners, and the second is the midfielder who had asked so much and who has not yet arrived. Tiago Pinto is arranging some exits (Florenzi at Milan, Nzonzi in Qatar and Diawara in the Premier League) to try to make the last gifts to Mourinho, on the other hand he said it during the presentation: 'we will try to make a squad at'height of Josè '. According to the words of the Portuguese, Roma are succeeding.
"We will not have the strongest team and we lack a bit of experience, but I can only be happy with my boys because they have great potential", underlined the Giallorossi coach who, two days before the official season debut, is trying to inculcate his belief in footballers. "Nobody can stop us from thinking of always winning the next match. This must be our attitude" is the motto of Mou who in the meantime is pampering Abraham, now official for a cost of 40 million euros that will end up in the coffers of Chelsea. "Proud to bring the nine of this great club" were the first words of the English center forward who will now have to return to England to deal with the paperwork for the visa. There will therefore be no Thursday in Turkey,while Roma expect to have him on Sunday against Fiorentina despite the asl protocol (home-work-home) to which they will have to submit due to Covid restrictions. Who will surely miss both games is Smalling, struggling with an injury to the flexor of the left thigh. The central will be evaluated day by day, but for the moment Mourinho is not worried and is just waiting to finally start getting serious.but for the moment Mourinho is not worried and is just waiting to finally start getting serious.but for the moment Mourinho is not worried and is just waiting to finally start getting serious.