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The Portuguese manager said his team was fantastic but reserved special praise for one of his players who was sacrificed on the night.
AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his team and coaching staff after their crucial win in the Europa League on Thursday.
Roma defeated Austrian side RB Salzburg 2-0 on the night in the second leg of the Europa League playoffs in Rome.
Two first-half goals from Andrea Belotti and Paulo Dybala proved decisive as the Italians came from a goal down in the first leg to snatch a 2-1 aggregate win over Salzburg.
A complete performance
After the game, former Manchester United and Chelsea boss, Mourinho, was a happy man as he went on to eulogise his players and staff.
According to the Portuguese coach, his team and coaches were fantastic following a complete performance at all levels against a Salzburg team he believes is packed with quality.
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“It was a wonderful Roma that earned an important result, but also a complete performance on all levels. Once again, this was a team, a united group with solidarity, (and) empathy, I liked all of it,” Mourinho said per Football Italia.
“I also have to say my staff did a fantastic job. I always say the coaches take credit for the work done by the whole staff, and our analysts did a really exhaustive job helping us to prepare and be ready for this match.”
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Special praise for El Shaarawy
While Roma scored their goals in a blistering first-half display in front of their home fans, Mourinho singled out Stephan El Shaarawy for praise.
The 30-year-old was a late substitute, coming on in the 90th minute to help the Giallorossi hold on to the lead and win after he dropped to the bench to accommodate Tammy Abraham who was passed fit to start the game with a mask.
Speaking on the impact of El Shaarawy, Mourinho added that the forward, who would have started, was sacrificed as he had no plan B on the bench.
“I want to thank El Shaarawy, who had to be sacrificed because he had to be my Plan B," Mourinho added.
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"If he started, I did not have a Plan B. Tammy (Abraham) couldn’t play long, Solbakken was unavailable, so I needed him to come on and change the pace, provide dynamism and has been playing so well recently."
"I feel bad for him, but this shows how we work together. I explained it, he accepted, and I am so happy with this team spirit.'
Mourinho and Roma will switch focus to the draw for the Round of 16 on Friday with the Italians likely to get one of the Europa League group stage winners.
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