Jose Mourinho said his Roma team suffered a “psychological slump” after conceding three
goals in just seven minutes during their loss at Juventus.
Roma was ahead 3-1 with just 20 minutes remaining before Juve’s incredible comeback.
Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini also had a late penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny after Matthijs
de Ligt sent an additional red card in handball.
“We were perfect for 70 minutes; however, following that, we had an emotional crash,”
Mourinho told DAZN.
“When there’s a problem, you’re supposed to be able to recover and prove what you’re
made of, But there are some people in the locker room who are just a little too pretty but a
bit weak. ”
Mourinho’s team included loan signing Ainsley Maitland and Niles in their starting XI for
only the second time, took the lead after 11 minutes when Tammy Abraham nodded home
Jordan Veretout’s corner from the near post for his 14th goal across all games in the
current campaign.
Paulo Dybala leveled for Juve shortly before half-time. He scored with an unguided effort to
the corner from near the edge of the net.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan restored Roma’s lead just before the beginning of the second half after
his long-range strike was smashed over Daniele Rugani before looping over Szczesny
before Pellegrini’s moment scored a spectacular 25-yard free-kick into the top corner,
putting Roma’s side on the verge of an easy win.
But Juve’s comeback was triggered in the 70th minute in which Manuel Locatelli headed
home Alvaro Morata’s cross, made from 6 yards.
Then, two minutes later, substitute Dejan Kulusevski had his close-range strike initially
dismissed as offside, But the decision was rescinded following an extended video assistant
referee’s check.
Defender Mattia De Sciglio, who was a substitute, sparked laughter among the players after
he struck the winner in the lower corner from within the zone.
There was plenty of drama to be had in those final 10 minutes of the game when center-
back De Light was sent off for a second bookable offense for blocking Abraham’s shot by
extending his arm into the zone.
Pellegrini scored the spot-kick, but Szczesny was right in his assessment and kicked the
ball out of the way.
The victory keeps Juventus five points three points behind Atalanta and sits fifth in last
place for the Champions League position after beating Udinese by 6-2. Roma stays in
eighth place.