Mourinho mocks Dutch reporter

In May 2022, Roma beat Feyenoord 1-0 in the Europa Conference League final thanks to Nicolo Zaniolo - midfielder who switched to Galatasaray. This result helped Roma win the first European cup in history and quench their thirst for titles after 14 years, since the 2007-2008 Italian Cup.

The two teams rematch in the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season, and Feyenoord won Roma 1-0 in the first leg in Rotterdam on April 13. After the match, a Dutch reporter asked Mourinho how Roma overcame difficulties and turned the tide in the Italian capital, and reached the 2022 final in Tirana.

The Portuguese coach responded in familiar ironic style when he told the Dutch reporter to "stop crying" about last year's defeat. "The last 10 months, I cried a lot. But I shouldn't cry," said Mourinho. "Because I cried, I couldn't turn defeat into victory. My team lost the game they should have won."

In the second leg at the Olimpico Stadium on April 20, Feyenoord drew 1-1 until 89 minutes - a result that helped them move on. But Paulo Dybala shone with a late goal to send the game into extra time, before Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini scored respectively to help Roma seal the score 4-1, thereby reaching the semi-finals with a total score of 4- 4. 2.

At the post-match press conference, Mourinho presented the Dutch reporter mentioned on a keychain with the Europa Conference League trophy and said: "I have a gift for you, but don't cry for the next 10 months. Feyenoord of You're leading the Dutch league, playing well, so don't cry."

The Dutch reporter accepted the gift and half jokingly said he would give it back to coach Feyenoord Arne Slot, before quickly getting back to work and asking Mourinho about the key factor in Roma's upstream battle. The "Special One" replied that Roma excelled and reached the semi-finals thanks to focus, courage, intelligence.

Before the quarter-final first leg, Slot provoked and mocked Mourinho's style. "Roma still has the same coach and Mourinho will still play the same way," said the Dutch coach. "The only change is that they brought in three quality players in Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic and Georginio Wijnaldum. Mourinho's style brings results, but I prefer to watch Man City and Napoli."

According to Sky Italy, Mourinho immediately responded after Roma won 4-1 in the second leg quarter-finals. After being refused a handshake, the 60-year-old coach chased his colleague into the tunnel and shouted: "Respect. Now go see Napoli".

Overcoming Feyenoord, Roma will meet Leverkusen in the semi-finals. The first leg took place in Rome on May 12 and the second leg took place in Germany a week later.