Roma coach Jose Mourinho was pleased with victory over Empoli on Monday night.

Tammy Abraham and Paulo Dybala scored for Roma in the 2-1 win.

On Abraham, Mourinho said: “He has to do it. He has to drop deep when the team needs him. Maybe he can struggle more mentally to do it, but that is also the mission.

“I must say that scoring goals against Vicario was difficult, he looked like the best goalkeeper in the world."

He continued: “We could've won in another way, with more tranquillity. If we were 3-1 up we could've managed it better ahead of Thursday. But the important thing is to win again.

“We suffered, seven minutes of extra time for a team that wins is a lot but we managed it well.

“I want to congratulate Zanetti because his Empoli team were tough to play against, but in the end we deserved the victory."

Of their slow season start, Mourinho also said: “The run of points is not a problem. Obviously Udinese are a tough game away from home, we were aiming to score points and we failed to do so. All games are tough, here too we were in danger of losing two points.

“On a game level we're a team with a lot of difficulties that we didn't expect. If we lose players we're in trouble. I'll take this opportunity to thank Zaniolo, for his effort to be here. Before the second goal he was ready to come on the pitch to help the team and it's different without him.

“Wijnaldum was a key player for us and he got injured. Cristante and Matic are two great players but for our idea of the game it's not easy to make them play together. Then with the injuries of Zalewski and Karsdorp we are uncovered on the wings.

“There are difficulties, in two days we have a game to win and in four Atalanta who aren't playing in the cups.

“These are difficulties that smaller teams don't have and they can prepare for these games with a different potential. But I prefer to have the difficulties but stay in the thick of the competitions and play on Thursday."