Mourinho frustrated as opportunity slips away

Giorgio Scalvini's first-half goal ultimately decided the match, despite Roma creating numerous chances to get on the scoresheet.

What did you make of the game?

“It was the easiest match for us to win so far this season – in other matches like the Monza and Cremonese games we haven’t had control for 90 minutes like that. With Paulo Dybala available maybe things would have worked out differently. We might have scored, but now we can only guess at that.

"But objectively speaking we played really well, we were in control and created a lot of chances against a side that defends well and that’s something. But Atalanta were lucky, and that’s something too.”

What about your red card?

“Nothing really happened with [referee] Chiffi or [Atalanta defender] Hateboer. We wanted to play and they kicked it away knowing perfectly well they weren’t going to be able to play on. They just had one aim, which was to waste a bit of time. But with Hateboer there was nothing specific."

Was there a build-up of tension by that point?

“The team played well, tonight we had rhythm, balance and control - and I’m pleased about that. There was emotion but I felt it was absolutely under control. Beyond that, there’s no issue - but there was a clear penalty on Nicolo Zaniolo in the first half.

“I tried to speak to Chiffi after the game; if a referee tells me that it can never be a penalty if a player does not fall over, then I will have to start telling my players to fall over. I asked him to tell me why he had not given a penalty, but Chiffi did not give me a clear answer.”

What did he tell you?

“Well, he said that it was a matter of interpretation. But for me it’s not interpretation; it’s a penalty and that’s it. The player can still continue the action and then they can go back and give a penalty.

"I want to be the best coach I can be - if we need to instead start playing the clown and pretend that we are at the swimming pool [in order to get penalties awarded], then I will change the training we do.”

Are you expecting further disciplinary action? It was an angry reaction from you…

"Angry? I went on the pitch and if the rules say that I cannot then I must be sent off – and there’s nothing more to it than that. Let’s not make up things that didn’t happen.”