Jose Mourinho after Roma’s 1-1 draw v Lecce: “It was a horrible pitch, the players had many problems”

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has criticised the pitch at the Via del Mare following the Giallorossi’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Lecce.

The home side, who had won only once in their last five league games, took an early lead through Federico Baschirotto, who had also scored against Cremonese in the previous game. But minutes later, Roma won a penalty for a Lecce handball and Paulo Dybala nestled it home calmly to equalise.

Roma did have some chances to put the game away and take the lead in the second half but they could never truly get the final ball in. 

After the draw, Mourinho spoke to DAZN (via TMW) about the game and stated: “A very tough, difficult, immense match, played on a horrible pitch. The players had many problems playing and you had to lift the ball and you also risked your ankles. For this reason, I don’t say anything negative to my players, either individually or collectively.”

A win could have taken Roma level with points with Inter, who are at second. But they remain at third and could go down to fourth, if the tie involving Lazio and Atalanta does not end in a draw.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN