Mourinho: Our options tonight were very limited

Jose Mourinho spoke briefly to the media following Saturday's defeat against Inter Milan.

The Giallorossi were beaten 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico - as Hakan Calhanoglu, Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfries got on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Here's how Mourinho reflected on the game; one which saw Gianluca Mancini and Nicolo Zaniolo both pick up yellow cards which will rule them out of the next league game against Spezia.

Roma came into this game with so many absences – but nevertheless, did you not expect a bit from your side tonight? What happened? Inter’s superiority was clear…

“Inter are a better side in normal conditions. When conditions aren’t normal, then they are much better than us. And ultimately it really is that simple.

“In normal conditions, last season they finished 29 points clear of us in the league and today, between Covid, injuries and suspensions, our selection options were very, very limited.

“With basically a very limited attacking threat out there it was going to be important to score with the one, two or three chances we were going to have – because we surely weren’t going to get many more than that.

“We had some great chances and we didn’t score. And when you are playing with a defence that has Roger Ibanez – who isn’t a right-back – on that side, and another player who is not a full-back on the other side, then the puzzle can really get difficult. Especially if you concede goals like the first and third tonight."

The boss then commented on the officiating of the contest.

"In my opinion the referee was fine," the Portuguese said. "He clearly did not impact the result.

"The only thing he missed was a yellow card for Bryan Cristante, because we must be far and away the dirtiest team in Serie A – it’s incredible how many yellow cards we pick up.

“Nevertheless, [the referee] had a good game. Well done to Inter, and good luck to them on Tuesday [in the Champions League].”