Mourinho: We did enough to avoid defeat tonight

In a match of few chances at the Stadio Olimpico, Osimhen found the far corner with just 10 minutes remaining to ultimately decide the contest for the visitors.

Here's what coach Jose Mourinho had to say after the match...

Was it the sort of game you were expecting?

“Our performance was enough not to lose the game.”

Is that what you wanted from your team?

“I wanted to win, like they did. Two shots on goal and they score a goal. It was an even game, a tough game, but we had things under control. We were in a bit of trouble after picking up so many yellow cards – in the second half their best chance would have been cut off by Cristante if he wasn’t already on a booking.

“We were tired out there and we did not have many options on the bench to ensure the same level of performance. It was a bit of a surprise that Karsdorp was able to play, but nevertheless he wasn’t in shape to play 90 minutes. The same with Spinazzola, while Pellegrini asked to come off because he was feeling a knock and Matic had been injured and didn’t train.

“So we really started to feel the effects of those issues once we got past the 70-minute mark. But we were in control against a great side, I feel hard done by. A hug for my players who did everything they could – in the end who scores wins and they won tonight.”

Did you expect more in attack tonight?

“Yes, something like what Osimhen did. In the second half we had openings through Zaniolo that we could have made more of. The few chances that we did create we were not able to capitalise on. It was a tough game against a great side. After all the yellow cards in the second half, and with Karsdorp and Spinazzola struggling, it was tough.”

Was the refereeing an issue tonight?

“I don’t want to speak about that. Irrati is a good, fair referee. A few of the things that happened during the game I did not like, but I don’t want to be critical.”

In the second half the spaces opened up a bit across the pitch…

“In the second half we dropped off them slightly because of the tiredness we were feeling, with Mancini sticking to Kvaratskhelia and Ibanez coming across more. With that boy who dives a lot, what’s his name, Lozano … we had Spinazzola move over to him. But because of that they had more of the ball; their control came from our tiredness.

“We had more attacks in the first half but we played a great match given the limitations we had. Four young boys on the bench tonight. Vina had to play on the right when he came on. The injuries are an issue for us – I’m not happy about the defeat but I come away with a positive feeling.”

Where can the team still improve?

“We still need to be more clinical in front of goal. According to the statistics we only get about half our shots on target. If Osimhen’s shot had flown into the Curva Nord it wouldn’t have been mentioned afterwards – the players make the difference in the end.

“I don’t like to look at the numbers of my players, who have also played a lot already this season. We didn’t play in midweek this time but whenever we do we have a few issues. Well done to Napoli because they won without really warranting it and well done to my players as well, because they lost without really deserving it.

“Irrati is a professional; he didn’t have a great game tonight but that is life.”