Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 8:52 PM• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 21:02

Jose Mourinho has reacted in his own way to criticism he received from Zdenek Zeman on Saturday. In an interview with the Corriere dello Sport Zeman called the current Roma trainer ‘a big disappointment’. The criticism came in the run-up to Sunday night’s derby between Roma and Lazio. Mourinho sneered at his colleague coach and pointed to his relatively empty trophy cabinet.

“Do you expect a coach with 25 trophies to answer someone who has won two Serie B titles?” Mourinho said derisively at Saturday’s press conference. “If you ask me about Giovanni Trapattoni or Fabio Capello, I’ll be happy to answer. But Zeman… Come on, I can’t.” Zeman was active as a trainer of both Roman clubs in the past. He worked for Lazio between 1994 and 1997, then was under contract with Roma for two years and also led the team in 2012/13. i Giallorossi† He is currently the trainer of Foggia in Serie C. Zeman won Serie B in 1991 (with Foggia) and 2012 (with Pescara). He also became champion in 1985 with Licata at the fourth level. Indeed, Mourinho has won 25 awards, spread over his tenure at FC Porto (6), Chelsea (8), Internazionale (5), Real Madrid (3) and Manchester United (3).

Zeman got from the Corriere dello Sport the question of which trainer he appreciates more: Mourinho or Maurizio Sarri, the trainer of Lazio. “Sarri, but that has nothing to do with personal preference. He just does much better. He has already given his team an identity,” said Zeman. “Mourinho is a big disappointment for the time being, especially when it comes to the quality of the field game. Lazio’s organization is much better. Yes, Mourinho sometimes gives young players the chance… In the last ten minutes! And then they can take a seat on the bench again. With a game here and a game there and then another place on the bench, a young player doesn’t get any better.”

Mourinho showed at the press conference that he is looking forward to the derby. The stadiums in Italy are now 75 percent full, which means that there will be considerably more fans than the 33,000 who attended the derby in September 2021 (3-2 Lazio victory. small lead on number six Roma: 49 to 48 points. “The atmosphere is better than last time, because the stadium can now be full again. It is strange that there is a team playing at home and away, because the stadium belongs to to both clubs. This will be a much better match than the last one. Football without fans is not football. A derby without fans is not a derby.”