‘I am not an a**-licker’ — Mourinho agrees with Roma squad’s shortcomings

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho. | Credit: Imago

FOOTBALL ‘I am not an a**-licker’ — Mourinho agrees with Roma squad’s shortcomings

‘I am not an a**-licker’ — Mourinho agrees with Roma squad’s shortcomings

Ayoola Kelechi • 23:40 - 06.10.2023

Jose Mourinho had some choice words when he agreed with former Inter defender Guiseppe Bergomi about what the Italian claims was wrong with AS Roma's midfield this season

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho has sensationally agreed with a less-than-flattering narrative about his team by former Inter defender Guiseppe Bergomi. 

Mourinho agrees with criticism of Roma midfield

Mourinho’s side suffered another injury during their win over Servette in the UEFA Europa League, as captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off the pitch with a setback just minutes after scoring Roma’s third goal in the eventual 4-0 win. 

Bergomi was speaking after the match about Roma’s struggles in the 2023/24 season, when the Italian football Hall of Famer noted that the Gialorossi’s midfield was being stripped bare by injuries and needed more reinforcements. 

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Mourinho replied to Bergomi’s comments about Roma’s scant midfield, saying, “I am not an a**-licker, but when Bergomi speaks, he speaks the truth.”

Mourinho explains midfield problems

The Portuguese manager further explained the struggles that Roma had faced with midfield options, breaking down the players available to the team, and those who were unavailable for one reason or another. 

“It [midfield struggles] is true, Mourinho said, continuing, “We have not yet found our solidity, because we do not have players working regularly or the team I thought I could see before the injuries. 

“Renato Sanches played one game and was out. Paredes is our organisation and he is improving. Bove must improve his decision-making in short spaces, he is evolving.

Guiseppe Bergomi playing for Inter | Imago
Guiseppe Bergomi playing for Inter | Imago

“Cristante was for me the midfielder in the best form, but he has to play as a centre-back. Lorenzo Pellegrini is our creator, he is hurt too often. Aouar is the player who is truly struggling the most to understand what we are as a team and he needs to move towards us, we cannot move the team towards him.”

Finally, Mourinho pleaded for more time with the team, although he noted that receiving patience from fans and pundits was unlikely to happen, saying, “We need time, but there is no time when you need points.”

Roma have turned around recent bad form in their last two matches, ending a run of two wins in seven games with two victories in their last two matches against Frosinone and Servette. 

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