Mourinho: “Not worried about the atmosphere – it'll fire us up”

This is what the boss had to say...

The Real Sociedad coach said: 'We'll unleash a storm and create a wave as big as those in Nazare that will engulf Roma.' Is that just mind games or do you expect a particularly difficult atmosphere?

“His words are respectful. He's firing up his players and the fans and he's using a beautiful country like Portugal to get the crowd up for it. He's showing us respect. He's doing his job and doing it well. He's a good coach technically speaking and he's showing that he's also good at communicating with his players and fans.

“This is the advantage you have when you play the second leg at home. He knows exactly what he needs and can decide on his strategy for the game. We have our own and we feel confident of course.”

What's your thinking regarding your line-up tomorrow? Will you put out your best team?

“My thinking is that the next match is always the most important one. Tomorrow is the most important match of the season.

“On Friday the match on Sunday will be the most important. But today it's this one. Of course I'll field the team that I believe will give us the best chance of reaching the quarter-finals.”

Are Roma more of a team for European competitions or for the league? Do you think knockout ties bring out the best in this team or is it a problem of mentality?

“We're neither a league team nor a cup team. We're a team of professionals who always do our jobs as best we can. And sometimes we're not able to reach the performance levels needed to get a result. That's it. Sometimes we struggle to play several matches back to back in different competitions.

“It's perfectly normal. There are clubs with 24, 25, 26 players all on the same level in terms of potential and experience, and it's not a problem for them. There are teams in Europe who can play matches every two days. It's a bit different for us. When we get an injury, it's not easy. When we have a suspension, it's not easy. When we get tired, it's not easy. But I'm always with them. The most important match for us is tomorrow.”

Speaking of the perfect storm, the Olimpico was a massive help for you in the first leg...

“The Olimpico is always the perfect storm for us. Or nearly always. Sometimes we win with them and sometimes we lose with them. The atmosphere at football stadiums is a fabulous thing. It can fire up the team but it's on the pitch that the football is played and matches are decided.

“The only time I saw a stadium score a goal was in the Champions League semi-final in 2005 when Anfield pushed the ball into the net with their noise. That's the only time in 30 years. The stadium can help. The stadium can fire you up. The home side often gets better results than the away team, statistically speaking. But the stadium doesn't play. And to be perfectly honest if there's a great atmosphere for Real Sociedad tomorrow it will fire us up too. The lads and I won't have trouble sleeping tonight. The real disaster was during Covid when the stadium was empty. That was a disaster.

“Tomorrow the stadium will be fantastic. The turf looks amazing. They play great football. The referee is a UEFA elite referee. We're the holders of the Conference League. We're not being asked to go into a storm in Nazare; it's a storm in a stadium. We're happy to find a storm in the stadium. Imanol [Alguacil] used this idea to motivate his men. It's even better for us. We're not afraid of the atmosphere.”

The Real Sociedad coach also said: 'I expect Roma to make changes from the first leg.'

“[Roger] Ibanez will play. He was suspended in the first leg. That's one thing that will be different to the first game.”

What do you think of this stadium?

“The stadium is beautiful, fantastic. The last time I was here was with Real Madrid many years ago. It always has a positive impact. It's a gorgeous stadium for football, it's great for players to play here, it's amazing for the fans, really comfortable. Superb.

“Then there's a team playing for big things, a team that's been in the Champions League spots since the start of the season. They have a good squad – not on a par with Atletico Madrid's, but very good. They have a good set-up, philosophy, a good coach who's come up through the club. I have a lot of respect for Real and have no reason to change opinion. Huge respect,”

Do you feel you're favourites after the 2-0 win in the first leg? And do you expect Real Sociedad to play differently in this game?

“Real Sociedad play a little differently depending on whether [Asier] Illaramendi or [Brais] Mendez plays. They changed their philosophy a little for the first leg in Rome. Which is normal really, when you play the first leg away.

“I expect them to be more aggressive than they were at our place. They'll try to take the game to us more and take more risks because they want to turn the tie around.

“We're ready in theory, then we'll see in practice on the pitch. We hold an advantage at the moment but we know nothing has been decided yet.”