Roma boss Jose Mourinho calls Lazio’s Pedro ‘a swimmer’ for diving

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has mocked Lazio’s Pedro, after the goalless Derby della Capitale at the Stadio Olimpico.

The clash ended scoreless, with both sides struggling to create any major chances and they dropped two points each. But there was a certain amount of passion in the game, but it only threatened to boil over.

After the game, Mourinho spoke to DAZN (via TMW) and amidst a host of other issues, he took aim at Lazio’s Pedro for simulation and diving, calling the ex-Giallorossi winger a ‘swimmer’.

The Portuguese said: “The players who were in the best condition played, especially in midfield. Those who had the head and heart for a match of this level played. I knew that two fifths couldn’t play 90 minutes, but there I had solutions to compensate for their demanding manner to play.

“The referee only has one criterion with us, giving two yellows to two defenders in 25 minutes, and this put us in difficulty. Pedro is a great player, but he could also be a swimmer because of the way he throws himself to the ground. We had a great match, even with the ball. We missed the goal, we had some opportunities that we could have exploited better. Rui practically didn’t touch the ball, but when he did it was great.”

Mourinho was also asked about what he spoke about with Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri and he stated: “He is always very nice to me. We joked before the match about what we said during the week and we love each other. After the match we said that none of us laugh or cry. This is what emerges with a draw.”

The Portuguese was also asked if he was satisfied with the result or not and he responded: “I am very demanding of myself. Before the match I said that I will not forget the defeat in Prague, this says a lot.”

Kaustubh