Roma lost in their 100th match against Mourinho
In the previous 99 matches, Roma won 53, drew 10, lost 27, averaged 1.8 points per game, scored 158 goals and conceded 100 goals. In the summer of 2021, Mourinho was appointed as Roma coach and immediately helped the club win the Europa Conference League. This season, the Portuguese coach brought Roma to the semi-finals of the Europa League and dominated the race for the top 4 in Serie A.
In the 100th game under Mourinho, Roma played better when controlling the ball 64%, finishing 14 times with one shot on target. However, Atalanta was more efficient, scoring three goals from four shots on target.
39 minutes, while being pressed, Atalanta took the lead from the first clear opportunity. Duvan Zapata drifted left and put the ball into the box for Mario Pasalic to catch a one-touch left-footed volley that kept goalkeeper Rui Patricio stuck.
74 minutes, substitute Jose Luis Palomino's header from the right corner was saved by Patricio. But Rafael Toloi kicked the corner of the goal, despite Diego Llorente's effort to block the header.
Roma rekindled their hopes of winning points with a low angled shot from captain Lorenzo Pellegrini shortening the lead after 83 minutes. But Patricio missed the ball after that, letting the ball bounce to the right range for Teun Koopmeiners to kick back. into the empty goal, setting the score 3-1.
The rest of the time, not only could not score, but Roma also lost their forces. In the situation of running after Duvan Zapata, Llorente suffered a pain in his right thigh and was unable to continue playing. He burst into tears when he was on the bench during injury time and left Roma with a lack of players, because Mourinho had used all five changes.
In the 86th minute, it was Paulo Dybala's turn to be cut down by Luis Palomino from behind. On DAZN, former referee Luca Marelli said that Palomino deserves a direct red card, but the referee Massimiliano Irrati only gave the Atalanta player a yellow card.
For the rest of the minutes, Dybala hobbled on the pitch, leaving Roma battling nine men. This is a big blow when Roma is definitely missing Chris Smalling, Georginio Wijnaldum and Rick Karsdorp in the big battle with Milan this weekend.
As a guest of DAZN, legend Francesco Totti talked and encouraged Mourinho before important matches against Milan in Serie A or Europa League with Leverkusen. "Now, I am even more certain that with his guidance, Roma can go as far as possible, in the Champions League and Europa League. We, the fans, are always behind the club, because of him. deserve it," said the Italian player.
In response, the Portuguese coach joked about his desire to let Totti, former Brazilian defender Aldair or himself play the next match against Milan. "Thank you, but we can't do miracles," added Mourinho. "The miracle here is the empathy between the club members and the fans. Playing at the Olimpico or away, they all understand the principles of the club. Play well or not, win or lose, injuries. or not, we always fight to the end."
Losing to Atalanta, Roma dropped to fifth despite having the same 56 points as Milan, and 3 points behind the third-placed team Juventus. In the next round on April 29, Mourinho's teachers and students returned to their home ground to receive Milan.
