Mourinho has brought 'something special' to Roma as they eye European silverware

The players are enjoying life under the man once known as the 'Special One'

Posted Saturday, September 18, 2021 by Marca.com

"There's something special at Trigoria this year," said Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini in what must have come as music to Jose Mourinho's ears on Thursday night, following the Giallorossi's 5-1 victory against CSKA Sofia to start their Europa Conference League campaign.

Pellegrini has become something of a teacher's pet since Mourinho arrived, and the Portuguese previously heaped praise on the Italian midfielder by saying that he'd "play three Pellegrinis" if he could.

"It's a feeling that's been there since Mourinho arrived that I've never felt before at this club," Pellegrini added. "We have to continue like this and keep improving if we want to win something.

"You can just feel that something special around the place and, personally, I've never felt that before at Roma."

Targeting trophies

Since his first spell at Chelsea, Mourinho has built a reputation for targeting the less fashionable trophies to get his teams into the habit of winning - or at least competing for - silverware. He won League Cups there, the Europa League with Manchester United, and countless others.

With the newly former Europa Conference League having Roma as one of the strongest sides in it, the Portuguese tactician is already thinking about their route to the final.

"I want to win the first Conference League," Mourinho said ahead of Thursday night's win over Sofia.

Unprecedented start

Although he was quick to play down his impressive start to life in the Eternal City, Mourinho will surely be aware that he is enjoying his best-ever start at a new club with Roma.

"Five wins aren't 50 and three wins in Serie A aren't 30 wins," Mourinho added on Wednesday. "The fans are happy, of course, but they've also got to take things into perspective and remain level-headed."

With six games played, though, he still has a 100 percent record, something he had never before managed.

Mourinho's first six matches in charge of his various clubs:

Benfica: Two wins, three draws, one loss.
Leiria: Three wins, three draws.
Porto: Four wins, two losses.
Chelsea (first spell): Five wins, one draw.
Inter: Five wins, one draw.
Real Madrid: Four wins, two draws.
Chelsea (second spell): Two wins, one draw, three losses.
Manchester United: Four wins, two losses.
Tottenham: Four draws, two losses.
Roma: Six wins.