This archive report was first published on 18 August 2021.
Roma coach Jose Mourinho has downplayed the significance of his team's Europa Conference League play-off match against Trabzonspor, describing it as a tie worthy of a higher stage.
Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the match, Mourinho, who has coached 995 times in his career, said he was 'calm' about the game, despite it being his first official match with the club.
'It's true that this will be my first official match with this club, but it will be my 996th match if I'm not mistaken so I am calm,' he said.
Mourinho also praised new signing Tammy Abraham, who joined the club for a reported 40-million-euro ($46.8 million) fee, saying he expects great things from the young striker.
Abraham was signed just three days after veteran striker Edin Dzeko was shipped out to Inter Milan to replace Romelu Lukaku, who completed a transfer triangle by returning to Chelsea.
On Sunday, Roma will kick off their Serie A campaign with a home clash against Fiorentina.
Published on August 18, 2021.
