Jose Mourinho reacted angrily to Maurizio Sarri’s comments that Roma’s encounter against Slavia Prague was a ‘friendly.’
Following his team’s Tuesday, November 7, victory against Feyenoord, Sarri questioned the game schedule in advance of their much-awaited Sunday afternoon Serie A clash with Mourinho’s Roma.
He said: “Roma can afford a friendly on Thursday and we played a war tonight, there is a fundamental difference.”
Rival manager Mourinho was offended by the remarks and has since questioned Sarri’s “mentality” and accomplishments.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said: “I think that if someone ought to feel offended about that comment, it is Slavia Prague and not me.
“It is as if he said Slavia have no quality. I always respect my opponents. Perhaps this is the difference between a coach who has won 26 titles and another that has barely won anything: that kind of mentality.
“Every game must be taken seriously, there are no friendlies. I would love to hear the reaction of the Lega Serie A because that was an objective and direct criticism. So I wait.”
At the club level, Sarri has won the Coppa Italia Serie D with Sansovino, the Europa League with Chelsea, and the Serie A with Juventus.
However, during his time at Roma, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Porto, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, Mourinho has won 26 championships.
