José Mourinho has expressed his opinion about the structure of the Europa League in his own way. The numbers two of the groups of the second European club tournament play in an intermediate round against a club that finished third in the group stage of the Champions League and the Portuguese coach of AS Roma does not like that at all. Mourinho can also not help but give a sneer at Barcelona and other clubs that have to leave the billion-dollar ball after six group matches.
Mourinho and his AS Roma played a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Thursday evening. Partly because of this, the Spaniards seem well on their way to group victory and Roma must do everything they can to claim second place in the group. If that succeeds, the Italians will face a number three from the Champions League in the intermediate round and there you will find The Special One some of it. “The failed sharks of the Champions League are coming and they will make a hard entrance,” he said during the press conference in Seville.
The Portuguese coach was referring to Barcelona, which after six group matches seems to have to descend to the second European club tournament, but also clubs such as Ajax and Atlético Madrid are heading for a decline towards the Europa League. Mourinho then came up with an unflattering description of the clubs finishing third in their Champions League group. “It’s going to be fun for us to play against the failures of the Champions League. The situation shouldn’t be like this, but it’s how it will go.”
I Giallorossia must first ensure that the knockout stage of the Europa League is reached at all. After four games, Mourinho’s formation has only amassed four points and is third in the group, three points behind number two Ludogorets. However, the Bulgarians are still coming to Rome. “Obviously we would like to continue in the Europa League, but if we finish third and go to the Conference League, we will be the favorites for title prolongation there,” the trainer said.
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