Winning with Vitesse to better prepare for the derby with Lazio on Sunday.
This is Mourinho's strategy who, at least until 11 pm tomorrow evening, does not want to hear about the derby.
In the Conference League, Roma starts from 1-0 in the first leg, but from this year the away goals are no longer worth double, so no calculations despite a draw the Giallorossi would be in the quarter-finals.
"Seven days ago we thought of the game as independent, we wanted to win and we want it tomorrow as well. We don't have to start the game thinking of a draw. We want to play free from pressure without thinking about the derby."
A warning, that of the Special One, to the team to avoid voltage drops.
Another signal will come from the eleven who will take the field.
With the exception of the suspended Mancini and Oliveira, Mourinho will focus on all the owners.
And when asked if Zaniolo would have been preserved in view of Lazio, the coach replies piqued.
"Why should he rest? He did it for 25 minutes in Holland.
Why should he rest and not Rui Patricio.
Zaniolo is fine.
Compared to Udine I will change Oliveira and Mancini.
Kumbulla and Mkhitaryan will return. "And the Armenian, compared to Sunday's absence, will be Roma's added value." Mkhitaryan is important for us - explained the Portuguese coach - I don't want to say that his absence with Udinese was the reason why we didn't win, but he's an important player. "So with Vitesse he will return to directing, while overtime he is called Abraham. Eight of Roma's twenty 2022 goals bear his signature. Too little, however, is the contribution of his comrades in the department. "
Are they players who scored before and now don't score anymore or who have never scored so many goals in their career?
Let's not talk about Lewandowski who is now at Roma and has stopped scoring.
It is a problem of quality, of profiles "is the explanation given by the Special One. With Vitesse, however, only the result will count because, as said by Rui Patricio, the Conference League represents a great opportunity for Roma." It will be a great opportunity for Roma. very important game: we play a European competition and we have the opportunity to continue and try to win a title.
We want to get as far as possible, we want to believe it.
We must have the ambition to win big competitions, especially by playing for a big club like ours. "To give an extra boost, then, will be the Olimpico, where over 40 thousand spectators are expected.
"Sometimes I would like to play on the pitch because they charge me, but I can't because of my age and quality - said Mourinho jokingly -. These fans have supported us from the first home game against Trabzonspor, from the first game they are fantastic".
(HANDLE).
