The Pharaoh saves the day for the expelled Mourinho

Before the home game against Monza, Roma coach Jose Mourinho told the press that Romelu Lukaku is the one who covers his team’s limitations. But even the Belgian couldn’t save Roma from their woeful performance. It was another guy with a lot of personal problems who did it – Stephen El Shaarawy- who came off the bench to score his first goal of the season amid accusations he was illegally betting. It was Mourinho who told everybody that he believed what El Shaaraawy and Nicola Zalewski told him (that they were innocent) and introduced them both during the game with Monza. The Pharaoh responded with the game-winning goal.

But Mourinho should be very worried for two reasons. Yes, his Roma secured the fourth win in a row. yes, they leapfrogged rivals Lazio in the process and are only four points below the Champions League place occupied by Napoli and Juventus, but those are the only positives from this game. Gialorossi played a bad game and nearly missed the opportunity to win against ten men Monza, who played the second half with one man down after D'Ambrosio earned a red card. The fact that Roma had only one shot on target in the second half before the winning goal, while Monza had three, with one man less on the pitch, says it all. And the second reason is Mourinho himself. Already in the centre of attention in the last game against Monza, when he verbally attacked the referee, the Portuguese tactician continued his war of words with coach Palladino and was sent off in injury time, even though his team was winning. He will not be in the dugout against Inter Milan next week, and this was his fourth dismissal since he came back to Italy two and half years ago.

Roma could have and should have, closed the game in the first half, considering how big chances they had, but they somehow managed to miss them both. First, it was Aouar, and then it was Belotti, both from inside the five meters, but in both cases, saved (un)intentionally. The first chance came before and the second after Danilo D'Ambrosio’s second yellow card. The hosts attacked more in the second half, but it was all fruitless, while the guests had better chances. Colpani had a wonderful curve shot which just missed the post, while Patricio had to stretch himself in order to save a fantastic ‘bomb’ from Birindelli., while the same player had another big chance, the Portuguese keeper was again there to stop it. Roma’s opportunities came mostly from Lukaku (three of them), but the Belgian missed the entire goal in one of them, while he was blocked in the other attempts. The third one was the biggest one when he hit the post, and then Azmoun did the same near the end of the game. When all hope faded away, it was the Pharaoh who saved the day.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 9

Saturday

Hellas Verona - Napoli 1-3 (0-2)

/Lazovic 60 - Politano 27, Kvaratskhelia 43, 55/

Torino - Inter 0-3 (0-0)

/Thuram 59, Martinez 67, Calhanoglu 90+5/

Sassuolo - Lazio 0-2 (0-2)

/Anderson 28, Alberto 35/

Sunday

Roma - Monza 1-0 (0-0)

/El Shaarawy 90/

16.00: (1.80) Bologna (3.70) Frosinone (5.00)

16.00: (2.35) Salernitana (3.35) Cagliari (3.30)

19.00: (1.58) Atalanta (4.00) Genoa (7.00)

21.45: (2.35) Milan (3.35) Juventus (3.30)

Monday

19.30: (2.25) Udinese (3.30) Lecce (3.30)

21.45: (1.45) Fiorentina (4.40) Empoli (7.25)

***odds are subject to change***