Jose Mourinho insists Roma ‘dominated’ their 1-0 defeat to RB Salzburg, complaining they wasted chances and ‘had a clear penalty’ not awarded in the Europa League play-off.
The first leg of this tie in Austria was decided by a late header from Nicolas Capaldo.
“This is football, is what we say in these situations. You have to score goals,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
The Giallorossi wasted scoring opportunities and hit the woodwork with Bryan Cristante’s header, but above all allowed a late RB Salzburg goal that tips the balance of the tie.
“It could’ve not happened, but it happened. I think we dominated the game. We were always in control of a match that was very relaxed for us.
“We missed some incredible chances and there was a clear penalty not awarded to us in the first half. We were unlucky with the change of referee to this gentleman here. Conceding a goal in the final minutes was unjust.”
Mourinho is referring to the fact the original referee was Glenn Nyberg of Sweden, who pulled out at the last minute due to flu symptoms, so he was replaced by Denmark’s Dennis Higler.
Nonetheless, the problem remains for Roma in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and now the Europa League, as they simply don’t convert enough of their chances.
“We have to put the ball in the net. When we don’t, then there is this risk. We know who we are, we know our limits, but when my team gives its all, I never have a negative word to say.”
The attack was further weakened when Paulo Dybala went off at half-time and he was later spotted with some strapping to his right thigh.
“I don’t know what’s wrong, he just told me he was not in any condition to keep playing. I can say that without Paulo, we moved Stephan El Shaarawy, then the change of Tammy Abraham for Andrea Belotti, when we concede a goal there’s nothing else to do.”
The positive for Roma is that away goals no longer count in UEFA knockout fixtures, so it remains quite an open tie going into the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday February 23.
The other is that Strahinja Pavlovic will be suspended for that game.
