Roma snatched a significant result at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final encounter vs Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to a solitary goal by youngster Edoard Bove. Jose Mourinho praised his men for their mental toughness and desire, citing them as players with a sense of responsibility on big nights as such.
Speaking to Sky Sport and DAZN (via VoceGiallorossa) after the encounter, Mourinho revealed his opinion of the important result with which they will travel to Leverkusen in a week’s time.
“It’s thanks to the boys, they have this mentality, desire, empathy, which is a word I repeat a lot. They have this sense of responsibility; they want to do everything to make the fans happy. We had great moments, but like today the road from Trigoria to the stadium with people on the street, the emotions that people showed, all of this, even for someone like me who has a lot of experience, makes you feel inside. The boys responded well. It wasn’t an easy game, it was difficult mentally because it’s difficult to play against them. It’s hard to play to win but knowing they are strong when you lose the ball. It’s very difficult, but we managed to win this first half.”
He nonetheless aired his caution going into the second leg.
“It’s still half-time in the match. For me after the first match there are no reasons to celebrate or to be sad, everything is still open. But it’s a good opportunity since the guys are doing well at this moment.”
Mourinho and his Giallorossi outfit travel to Bologna first before boarding the flight to Germany, and Mourinho praised the Rossoblu for their hunger this season.
“Yes, against an excellent team that is making a great championship. But we are going there to get results.”
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