Mourinho: "We upped the intensity after the break"

Let’s start with the performance – convincing because you scored four goals and only let Servette have one shot at goal.

“Yes, but the first half was awful. I didn’t like it at all. I was in a great position to watch the game. We didn’t press at all. There was one moment, I think in the first minute, when we were too passive. We let them play. We didn’t even move much when they had time to play the ball. I didn’t like the first half, but I did like the second half.”

There was a different attitude.

“The attitude and the tempo changed. We moved a lot more with the ball. We were aggressive and even without the ball we were more confident. I liked the second half.”

What did you like about the Lukaku-Belotti pairing?

“To tell the truth, I didn’t like anything in the first half. The second, yes. Obviously when those two are playing without Paulo [Dybala], we lack creativity. When Paulo's not playing, we don't have a player who can drop in to link midfield and attack because they’re both out-and-out strikers.

“When they’re together, you can feel the absence of Paulo and [Lorenzo] Pellegrini, who are more creative, but they both offer a physical presence in the box. One of them can play more in support and the other can stay up top if our wing-backs get to the by-line and get balls into the box. They both know how to score goals. But it is different playing with or without Paulo.”

Eleven minutes for Pellegrini, a goal and an assist. Is his injury just down to bad luck?

“He’s got huge potential but unfortunately throughout his career he’s regularly had these injury problems. I haven’t seen him yet. I haven’t spoken to him or the medical staff but from his body language it looks like a muscle problem. That’s what usually happens to him.”

I wanted to ask you about your midfield and the quality you have in that area to make things happen. [A question by Beppe Bergomi on Sky Sport]

“When Bergomi speaks, he always makes valid points. It's true that we haven't been that solid until now and we aren't yet where I wanted us to be – because we don't have the players readily available.

“Renato is an important player for us because he dictates the tempo. He played one game and then he got injured.

“Leandro [Paredes] is a guarantee – he organises us – and he's on the up.

“[Edoardo] Bove needs to improve his decision-making in tight spaces and he's doing quite well at that – there's clear progress there.

“[Bryan] Cristante, who was our most in-form player, our most complete player, has to play centre-back.

“Lorenzo, who is our real creative fulcrum, is playing on and off.

“[Houssem] Aouar is the one who's really finding it hard to come in our direction and adapt to playing in this team. We can't go in his direction – he has to come towards us and what we are. We need time. And when you don't have time it's because you need points.”

Do you think Roma are a different team in Serie A and Europe?

“There's a difference in the level of our opponents. Serie A sides are better and harder to play against than Sheriff and Servette. We've got six points and it's no less than we should have. We're better than them, even with the changes we make. All Serie A teams are better than Servette and Sheriff. Slavia are another matter – they're an excellent team.

“In our next two games against them we'll be up against a team that could easily play in the Champions League. It's going to be very difficult. Against Servette and Sheriff it's our duty to take 12 points.”