AS Roma Failed To Win Against Servette, Jose Mourinho Criticizes Players

JAKARTA - AS Roma failed to win and were only able to draw 1-1 against Servette in the Europa League Group G match at the Stade de Geneve Friday, December 1 in the morning WIB.

Roma, who had qualified for the Europa League knockout round, reaped unsatisfactory results while playing at home to the opponent.

Winning first through Romelu Lukaku's goal, Roma finally closed the game with a draw. The result made Roma fail to maintain their position at the top. Having points 10, Roma had to lose the throne of the standings that Slavia Prague won after winning 3-2 over the host FC Sheriff.

Despite going through the preliminary round, Roma has not been able to confirm getting an automatic ticket to the last 16.

The Giallorossi's fate was determined in the last match at home to the FC Sheriff. They are fighting for tickets with Slavia Prague who are facing Servette's guests.

In that match, Roma actually took the initiative to attack. However, the Italian Serie A club attacks based on Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Lukaku always encounter deadlocks.

Lukaku finally broke the deadlock after scoring a goal in the 22nd minute. He finished a slick assist from defender Diego Llorente. This 1-0 advantage also lasted until the first half.

Entering the second half, Roma experienced a decline. Players such as letting opponents develop the game. This is what makes Servette able to take the initiative to attack.

As a result, Roma's goal conceded. The hosts managed to equalize after Chris Bedia took advantage of centre-back Bryan Cristante's error in the 50th minute.

The score changed to 1-1 and lasted until the end of the match. The reason is that no more goals were created so that Roma could only take one point home.

The failure to win made Mourinho inflamed. He sparked players who did not insist and seemed soft.

Even the former Chelsea manager and once interpreted Manchester United as appointing midfielder Houssem Aouar who was considered not to insist on playing so that he was pulled out and replaced by Lorenzo Pellegrini.

"We had several chances, but instead we experienced the same situation when we started the second half. In fact, I always remind the home team if they fall behind first, they will definitely go all out in the second half," said Mourinho.

"It was a normal reaction and we had predicted it. But instead we played soft. We didn't anticipate it in the field," he said.

"There are players who once again fail to take advantage of the opportunity to prove their abilities, one of which is Aouar," said the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach.

The draw at home to the opponent made Roma only ranked second. Although there is still a chance, Slavia Prague is predicted to win in the last match to win the last 16 ticket.

On the other hand, if Roma occupied the runner-up position, they had to navigate the play-offs against the team in third place in the Champions League.

Mourinho said it was not easy to face opponents who had previously competed in the Champions League. He hopes to have the support of supporters when Roma play at home.

"We are most likely in play-offs. It's not easy because we are facing a team from the Champions League, there are two home and away games. I hope supporters come to the stadium and support us in home matches," he said.