In the early hours of tomorrow morning, Roma will face Leicester City in the semi-finals of the European Cup, and before the match began, Roma boss Jose Mourinho held a routine pre-match press conference. At the press conference, Mourinho was confident that tomorrow's match would belong to Roma, not Leicester City. At the same time, he said that he would give Rogers a gift, without saying much and looking directly at the content:
Leicester City have recently focused on the European Cup, they have rotated a lot of players for this game, their players have more rest time than Roma, what kind of impact do you think this will have on the game?
Mourinho said: "I hope it will not have any impact. But obviously, the analysis you did is obvious. I've had the same situation before, when you never had a chance to hit your goal again in the league and focus on European competitions. Even if it's not "their" game because they started with the Europa League, that's their way to get into European competition again next season. So, that's why they're going to rotate like that, ready for this game. We can't do that: we're still able to qualify for Europe through the league, we can't ignore the opportunity, we need to do everything we can to make it happen. But I hope the mood on this occasion tomorrow will really inspire my players – it will help them get out there and win games. 】
Without Mkhitaryan, how would you respond?
Mourinho said: "We don't have a player like Mkhitaryan anymore. Some top teams, there are two players in each position, so some teams can rotate perfectly. And some clubs get stuck without certain players. We don't have players like Mkhitaryan and I think that's obvious. So we can't play against different players in the same way. We're going to have to do something different, but the goal hasn't changed: we want to get to the final, we want to give everything we have to give. I will never get tired of repeating tomorrow will be our 14th game in the European Cup. We started in Turkey and the most recent one was in England – we didn't stop, we've been playing for a few months on Thursday and Sunday and have had all the difficulties and problems. But we're here now, we're here as a team. Mkhitaryan won't be on the pitch, but others will be there. We will enter the competition as a team and strive to qualify. 】
In the last game, you got a good bottle of wine. Rogers said today that he would be happy to have a cup of tea after the game, would you make a cup of tea for him?
Mourinho said: "To be honest, I bought him a good gift. But because he wants tea, I can leave the gift for myself and then invite him to tea, which is no problem. 】
Can you tell me what you think of Rogers' achievements? He led Leicester city to his first FA Cup title in franchise history last season.
Mourinho said: "What Leicester is doing is fantastic. Of course, their achievements in winning the Premier League have been amazing, but since then the club's growth at all levels and now having one of the best training centres in Europe is amazing, congratulations to all of them. Brendan (Rogers) didn't surprise me. At Liverpool, people forget what he did, he has a lot less resources than Liverpool, but now he is doing a very good job. Then people forget about his job in Scotland because people don't pay much attention to the Scottish Premier League. Later he won the FA Cup and even the Community Shield, and the stability of the club and the way they played was stunning. It's a perfect combination, Leicester and Brendan. Very very nice. I only hope that tomorrow belongs to us, not to them. 】
How you felt before such an important race
Mourinho said: "There is no doubt that we have established a connection between ourselves and the fans. We've been together for almost 10 months and we've had mixed performances. But we've always been together, and there's a real spirit between us. We have now reached the point where we have two home games left in the season, tomorrow will be the last home game of the European Cup and next weekend we will play Venice in the last home league game. Obviously, celebrating the bonds we have built and maintained in the right way would be amazing, regardless of the outcome. We should all end the season in the best possible way. For the fans, I just want to say that we are obviously fighting for ourselves, but we are especially fighting for them. I'm really happy if the fans play their part in the game with us tomorrow. Because you can go to the stadium to watch the ball, you can also go to the court and play football. If we have 70,000 followers watching tomorrow, it doesn't make much sense. But if we have 70,000 fans who want to play, that's a different story. So that's what I and the players ask the fans: don't come to the stadium to watch the game, come and play. 】
Today Schmeichel said that he does not want to have a fourth or fifth success in the league, but a success to win the championship. For someone like that, especially someone like you who has won a lot of titles, how eager are you to add a new championship trophy to your showroom?
Mourinho said: "Honestly, Leicester City won the Premier League title more successfully than the three titles I won at Chelsea. More successful than winning a title for Liverpool or Manchester United. So he should be happy that he won that very, very, very special title. No kidding, of course he wants to win. Especially because it's the only way for them to get into European competition next season. So it's clear that a club of the size and historical achievements of the last decade like Leicester want to play in Europe and the only way for them to play in Europe next season is to win this game. So, his remarks are a good representation of Leicester City's thinking. 】
How eager are you to win this title?
Mourinho said: "It's the same for me. I always say that there's only one game I haven't won – and that's the next one. I haven't won the next game yet. I always want to win the next one. This is even more true if the next game is a semi-final, because of course the semi-final gives you the right to participate in the final if you are not fired before the final! But it gives you that right, so of course it's not just the next game, it's a special game. We want to win. It's been a long process for us and a different process for us because Leicester City have Europa League matches. We played against the far-flung Trabzon from day 1 and after 14 games we had a chance to reach the final. We have to play at the highest level we can to get to the final. 】
Congratulations, today is the first anniversary of your announcement as Roma's new manager. It feels like it's right for your work and project, and it feels like you're enjoying it.
Mourinho said: "I enjoy it. I enjoyed it very much. I'm happy to be on the training ground every day, and that's something I can't deny. Do I want more? Yes, I want more. Do I want to have bigger ideas next season? Yes, I wish I could have thought bigger. But I know the project, I know the nature of it and I love sharing it every day with my players and the people at the club. I'm with them, I try to give everything I have and I love working with them. I think the job is so daunting for each of us and I think we should end this season with something to celebrate. Of course, the trophy will be the best. Of course, it's also a good thing to finish in a position that will allow us to play in Europe next season. But we gave everything we had, each and every one of us. Tomorrow is just a big step and I won't forget or deny that it's against a very, very good team, but we're also a good team. 】
May I ask you what gift you bought for Rogers? Did he get it now?
Mourinho said: "He doesn't know what it is yet, but he just wants tea, so he'll get a cup of tea, and if he wants to drink tea, then he'll get it, Liverpool I'll keep it to myself (laughs)].
Speaking of Mkhitaryan's replacement, Oliveira and Veletu will be candidates, how are they in?
Mourinho said: "No player has the same characteristics as Mkhitaryan to take his place. At least we didn't. You know what we have, as you say, they're very different players from Mkhitaryan. But we play as a team and we try to be a team, hide our problems because we're not the perfect side, and then also go out and try to exploit the little problems and weaknesses of the opponent. We will play as a team. Sergio and Jordan, like all the other players, are willing to give everything they have for Roma. Tomorrow we have a good chance of winning, but only if we are all at our best. I believe Sergio and Veletu and anyone else who can be called can help us. 】
What do you think the tactics of tomorrow's game will be?
Mourinho said: "It's always hard to say what kind of game it's going to be. A lot of times you want a certain type of game and then it develops into something different. I don't mind being like the first leg against Leicester, Patricio made a save in 90 minutes. That means we don't have big issues to deal with, which is very important to us. If the fans want to play their part, they can help us. But as a team, we need to be mature and intelligent in order to play the right way and handle things in the most rational way. This will be important for us. 】
How did the Roma boss feel before the match? Are you talking a lot about this?
Mourinho said: "No, we haven't exchanged ideas on all this. I think they already know me well. They know that before the game I was with my staff and my players and I didn't like sharing myself with other people. I don't even like doing this press conference with you! But I'm here because I have to. However, I know them well. It's easy to understand that in addition to loving the club and the fans, they also fell in love with football. People who love football will experience these moments in some way... Well, when the big moment comes, you know what it's like in football. That's why, for their part, they respect our privacy and focus as a team. But it's clear they're happy to play a European semi-final at home and the pitch is packed – it's a time of joy and anticipation. We're going to go there together and if our fans want to play too, that could make all the difference. 】
Well, that's all there is to it, see you tomorrow!