Mourinho: "Roma gave 100% - the players' attitude won the game"

It was a good team display. Unlike what we saw against Cremonese, their attitude made the difference.

"That's why I still feel… not sad, but I struggle to accept our display in Cremona. Because this team, when it plays as a team... it will not be the best in the world – we must always give everything to get the result. Obviously, I'm very happy with the win, but I still haven't fully processed the Cremonese performance."

Could you explain why you decided against selecting an out-and-out striker? Did you not want a reference point up there? Is that where Roma won the game?

"Roma won because the players did well, because they gave 100%. I don't want to say that it was our tactical set-up that made us win, because it was the players' attitude that won it for us. However, I have a lot of respect for Max [Allegri] and the team – they are improving a lot and came here in their best form of the season.

"We know that when Juve stay compact, it is very, very difficult to create chances against them, and we are a team that don't score many goals as it is. It was important for us to have some possession and get numbers back, while at the same time not allowing them to leverage their strengths – they have more energy, intensity and speed. When they break on us, it's difficult for us to deal with. We kept things tight at the back and defended quite well, with Rui [Patricio] producing some miraculous stops. This is important, because when you play against a team like Juve, you need a good performance between the sticks."

There was a nice hug with Allegri: what did you say to each other?

"We speak often, via text message. We've had a very good relationship for years – we have a laugh with each other. There's always a joke between us. But now I have to respect his sadness, his frustration. All I'll say is that I like his team a lot and I'm very happy with this gap in the league standings now, because even with the 15-point penalty, Juventus are a threat, because they can win five, six, seven, eight, ten games in a row."

You said Roma are not contenders for the Champions League places, but playing like this they could be in the top four.

"The problem is that you never know how Roma are going to play and whether or not they'll get a result. We have to be aware of our limitations, because when you are, you play to hide them and get results. When we're not 100%, we struggle. The league season is a marathon – it's played over 10 months. The campaign comprises many games and not one-offs – we know that in one-off matches we are capable of turning in serious displays and getting a result, even against top teams in the league. And this Juve team, without injuries, with this coach and with these players, are a top, top side."

In your opinion, do Juve regret not having a player like [Paulo] Dybala?

"For us he is super important. I don't want to talk about that, because it's a topic for Max, but Juventus aren't in need of great players, because their squad is full of great players."

As regards the Europa League, do you think Roma can replicate last year's run in the Conference League or is the level too high?

"The level of last year's Conference League was higher than this year's. We played against Feyenoord and Leicester, who are better than the teams in it this year. There were teams like Olympique Marseille. But if you look at this year's Europa League, it looks like the Champions League. It will obviously be tough but let's go step by step.

"Right now, we are already in trouble, because Real Sociedad played on Friday and we played on Sunday night, and it was a game we put a lot into. But let's try to get to Thursday with the right attitude. There are two legs – let's see what we can do."

Will we see you in the dugout on Sunday or do you expect to be banned?

"I'm not expecting anything. As I said before the game, there is an ongoing process and I have to respect it. I don't want to say anything until that's over. I want to repeat what I said before the match, which is that I just want to do my job in peace. I don't want anything more."