Ten minutes into the second half of Roma’s crunch Serie A clash against leaders Napoli on Sunday night, Jose Mourinho produced a moment with which all football fans are familiar.
His side had set up to contain their opponents with a deep block – an entirely justifiable approach considering Napoli – Europe’s most vibrant attacking team this season – had stormed their way to 32 goals in their previous 10 matches, all of which had ended up with victories. Four of those came against Liverpool, and six against Ajax.
Yet Roma were overwhelmed in terms of both possession and territory by their opponents at the Stadio Olimpico, where it was Luciano Spalletti’s side who looked like the home side throughout. In the 55th minute, Roma had appeared to break through Napoli’s midfield only for the referee to correctly blow up for a free-kick – sparking Mourinho’s anger.
The Portuguese boss, as experienced as they come on the touchline, appeared to be incandescent with anger – shouting onto the pitch before turning around to his own dugout and continuing his enraged outburst.
It is never easy to tell how much of Mourinho’s touchline tactics are genuine and how much are playing to the gallery. His reaction brought the expected response from the Roma home crowd – 60,000 fans who were in full voice throughout and despite the lack of goalmouth action, did not let their energy levels dip.
This appeared to be a timed tactic by Mourinho; just nine minutes into the match, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen – who would hit the game’s only goal – was brought down by a heavy challenge just outside Roma’s technical area. Mourinho could be seen wagging his finger in knowing disapproval, but the two sets of coaches became infuriated and had to be restrained in their respective dugouts.
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At that stage of the game, Roma were playing with intensity and a degree of purpose – he did not need to produce a strong reaction for the home fans to breathe fresh life into the game. 45 minutes of action later and with Napoli asserting their authority, he knew he had to intervene.
That moment brought Mourinho a yellow card, which of course was to be expected not only in its outcome but of producing yet more feedback from the stands. Yet while Roma’s fans had no shortage of purpose, their team quickly ran out of ideas against a side who were notably more proactive.
Roma did not produce a shot on target throughout the game, Tammy Abraham – now eight games without a goal – was isolated and there was a lack of ideas.
Mourinho said before the game that “sometimes the underdogs win” yet Roma, at home, should surely be expecting more from their boss than feigned anger at officials.
It was a familiar shortcoming that has blighted Mourinho’s tenure at Roma – a team who many believe should be in the title conversation but who once again came up short against a big rival with a timid approach, despite the energy on the sidelines.
