The 2023/24 Coppa Italia season continues, and for Mourinho, his first two seasons in charge of Roma led Roma to European finals, winning the UEFA Europa League once and finishing runners-up in the Europa League once, but in the Coppa Italia, Mourinho was eliminated early for two consecutive seasons. In the Italian Cup last season, Roma was eliminated by Cremonese, in the third round of this season's Italian Cup, Roma and Cremonese met again in a narrow way, in the first half Pellegrini hit the goal frame, Saju broke the deadlock to help Cremonese lead, in the second half, Shaarawy missed the empty goal and hit the post, Lukaku equalized the score, Dybala scored a penalty shot, and Roma succeeded in revenge.
Roma vs. Cremonese, Mourinho rotated the starting line-up to a certain extent, Lukaku and Belotti partnered up front, Karlsdorp, Bovey, Paredes, Pellegrini, Shaarawy sat in midfield, Celik, Cristante, Diego Llorente formed the defensive line, and Svillar guarded the goal. Cremonese was relegated from Serie A last season, and the starting lineup was only worth 14.75 million euros, with Okereck, Saju partnering the striker, Michael, Gulio, Lavanelli, Antofo, Zanimachia and other main players all playing.
In the 17th minute of the game, Roma got a free kick opportunity in front, and Pellegrini took the free kick and shot directly at Chajundal to save. In the 19th minute, Paredes made a mistake and Cremonese counterattacked into the Roma penalty area, and Celik cleared the ball with a header from a key position in front of the goal. In the 27th minute, Karlsdorp broke through on the right and crossed, Belotti outflanked in the box and his cushion shot was saved by Yundal, and Pellegrini's follow-up shot hit the crossbar, and Roma missed a good chance to score.
In the 37th minute, Cremonese counterattacked, Pellegrini was cut off at the back, Giliginho picked up the ball in the penalty area and sent an assist, Saju stopped the ball and scooped the goal to score, Cremonese broke the deadlock and led Roma 1-0 away. After falling behind at half-time, Mourinho made immediate changes, with Dybala, Andreas Christensen and Zalewski coming off the bench to replace Belottti, Celik and Diego Llorente, as Roma intended to strengthen the attack.
In the 49th minute, Dybala, who had just come on as a substitute, created a killing chance, Dybala broke through on the right side and cut inside to send a direct pass, Lukaku was blocked in the penalty area in the face of the goalkeeper, missing a great opportunity to score. In the 54th minute, Cristante launched an attack with a long pass, and El Shaarawy broke through on the left and cut inside to shoot hard at the neutral post. In the 67th minute, Mourinho replaced Bovey with Azmoun and began to attack wildly, and in the 74th minute, Karlsdorp was replaced by Spinazzola.
In the 77th minute, Roma attacked in front, Dybala received a direct pass from his teammates on the right side and knocked it horizontally, Azmoun made the ball at the top of the arc, Lukaku inserted and burst into the penalty area to push and score, Roma finally equalized, 1-1 Cremona. After the goal, the Roma players were in high spirits and continued to attack. In the 83rd minute, Spinazzola, who had just come on as a substitute, broke through to the penalty area and was brought down by Senicola, and the referee decisively awarded a penalty, and Dybala scored the penalty, and Roma overtook the score 2-1.
In stoppage time, in the 95th minute, Cremonese corner kick opportunity, goalkeeper Yundal abandoned the goal to participate in the attack in the Rome penalty area, Rome counterattacked, Shaarawy faced the empty goal long-distance push actually missed, and finally Roma defeated Cremonese 2-1 at home, avenging the elimination of Cremonese last season, and Roma also successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup.