Things are heating up ahead of the weekend, with the Derby della Capitale mounting pressure on both managers. Maurizio Sarri had earlier claimed that while Lazio faced ‘war’ against UEFA Champions League opponents Feyenoord, Roma would be playing a ‘friendly’ in their encounter against Slavia Praha in the UEFA Europa League. José Mourinho has now hit back at Sarri.
Mourinho, in his pre-match press conference, took stock of what awaits Roma on Thursday night in Prague, before which he snapped at Sarri for the lack of respect.
“If anyone should feel offended by Sarri’s statements it is the people of Prague and Slavia Praha, not me. He said as if Slavia have no quality. I always respect my opponents, I have already said that they are an excellent team. The difference between someone who has 26 titles and someone who has won just a few is exactly this mentality. Every match is serious to play, there are no friendlies. I would like to hear the reaction of the Lega Serie A because he directly criticized it. I’m waiting.” (via Calciomercato)
The Giallorossi scored two in the space of the first 20 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg, and Mourinho is not underestimating his Czech opponents this time around.
“Of course, there are the conditions to play a different match. I said it before the previous tilt: they are a strong team, they have quality both offensively and defensively and organisation. This means that the coach is good. They have a beautiful stadium and very nice environment. We are close to qualifying, they are not, but they are in a better situation compared to Servette and Sheriff.”
While Slavia have failed to win each of their last eight games against Italian clubs in Europe, Roma have never won away against a Czech side in Europe.
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