MY ACCOUNT
Jose Mourinho has conceded it is difficult to find Real Sociedad’s weaknesses as Roma prepare for the first leg of their last-16 tie in the “super quality” Europa League.
Roma coach Mourinho has won the Europa League twice with Porto and Manchester United and guided the Giallorossi to the Conference League title last season.
The Serie A side are enjoying another good season, sitting fourth in the league and advancing past Salzburg in the previous round in Europe.
Now, Roma face La Real for the first time in UEFA competition, with the first leg taking place at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Ahead of the match, Mourinho said of Roma’s opponents: “They are an excellent team, and it is difficult to find their weaknesses. They have a very good coach, and the team is doing very well.
“They are organised both defensively and offensively, with technically very good players.
“They are fourth [in LaLiga] behind the three giants who are always there; it’s really a quality team, and it can’t be said that we were lucky in the draw.”
Roma and La Real are joined in the last 16 by United, Arsenal and Juventus among others.
Mourinho added: “This year the Europa League is super quality, a difficult match, but they look at us with the same respect as we look at them.”
The LaLiga side boast some quality players in their ranks, including David Silva, sought-after midfielder Martin Zubimendi and talented winger Mikel Oyarzabal.
Asked about Oyarzabal, Mourinho was keen to focus more on the collective.
“He’s very good, but Real Sociedad is much more than him,” Mourinho said. “Even from an individual point of view, they also have other players of the highest level.
“But the most important thing is how they play as a team, they are very organised.”
